Now that Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill and head coach Ralph Kreuger have met with pending free agent winger Jeff Skinner, the only thing left on the task list to do is to re-sign the sniper to a long term contract to remain with the Sabres.
Prior to Game 2 of the Stanley’s Cup Finals, TSN insider Bob McKenzie told NBCSN he thinks there is reason for Sabres fans to be optimistic about Skinner staying in Buffalo rather than leaving to pursue green pastures elsewhere like Evander Kane and Ryan O’Reilly did in 2017-18.
Sabres fans are allowed to have nice things. They have Jack Eichel, Rasmus Dahlin, Samson Reinhart, Casey Mittelstadt, Rasmus Ristolainen and promising difference makers Alex Nylander, Victor Olofsson, Lawrence Pilut, Rasmus Asplund, Will Borden and others are warming in the bullpen.
Oh, by the way. The Sabres also own picks number 7 and 29 at next month’s NHL draft in Vancouver.
True, the Sabres have missed the playoffs since 2011. However, Eichel & Associates will be playoff bound next season and beyond. Jeff Skinner factors heavily in Buffalo’s ascent up the Eastern Conference standings.
Soon, they will have Jeff Skinner in the lineup for the next eight seasons of the Eichel Administration.
McKenzie said:
“The sense seems to be that there’s optimism, but not to the point where either side is entirely comfortable with the numbers that they’re exchanging. I do expect that there is likely to be more dialogue between Skinner’s agent and the Buffalo Sabres. For quite some time now I’ve been saying that I think the sweet spot for a number is an eight-year deal somewhere between $8.5 million per year and $9.5 million per year.
Buffalo certainly wants him back, and Skinner would like to come back but they’ve just got to get the final massaging of the numbers to the point where both sides are happy. So it’s very close, but it’s not done. And until it’s done, it’s not done.”
Skinner potted a career high 40 goals last season despite being stuck at 37 goals during a late season slump that saw him go without scoring a goal in eight consecutive games from March 17 to March 31. Like all great snipers do, Skinner potted three goals in his final three games to reach his career high of 40 goals.
Jack Eichel wants Skinner to remain a Sabre as badly as the passionate fan base does.
I have no problem paying Skinner elite level AAV and elite level term in his next contract. The guy drives offense at even strength in a league where primary goal scoring is hard to come by. Of his 244 career NHL goals, 191 of Skinner’s goals have been at even strength. Skinner, my friends is a superior scoring threat at all times, in all situations. TmTeams either draft and develop scorers or they acquire them via trade or free agency. Botterill recognizes the rock star talent Skinner is and will continue to be for the Sabres. In my opinion, it’s a no brainer for the Sabres to extend Skinner for between $64 million and $66 million all-in.
The annual NHL Scouting Combine is in progress in Buffalo as we speak. Botterill, Krueger and Sabres front office brass are interviewing draft eligible prospects. There also is time for Botterill to speak with player agents. Say for example, Jeff Skinner’s agent, who also is in town for combine and free agency related business.
Sabres fans should take solace that Skinner was traded to Buffalo by the Team that drafted him in 2010, the Carolina Hurricanes. In 2010, Ralph Krueger was a consultant to ten Canes GM Jim Rutherford, who pitched Krueger strongly to Botterill after Phil Houlsey was fired by the Sabres in April. My guess is Rutherford is also imploring Botterill to re-sign Skinner to a long term contract before the Toronto born sniper hits the UFA market in July 1.
Pay Skinner.
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