I agree.

Botts is gonna take a beating if skinner goes to free agency July 1st

Skinners camp may have been upfront,

Jeff would like to test free agency


Jbotts may have hoped to convince him with winning and playing with eichel.
- Boss34

If you're hinting that Skinner is turned off by all the recent losing, isn't HE part of this recent losing?

I agree.

Botts is gonna take a beating if skinner goes to free agency July 1st

Skinners camp may have been upfront,

Jeff would like to test free agency


Jbotts may have hoped to convince him with winning and playing with eichel.
- Boss34

Had Skinner's camp ever said this, I would find it hard to believe McKenzie or Lebrun wouldn't have figured it out yet. There isn't a single source that believes he'll be traded or run to UFA like Panarin and probably Bob.

No reason to not be a little nervous. There hasn't even been a whisper about either party being discontent. The opposite is true with Ottawa's UFAs, and Kane last year. Even in December, you pretty much knew he was getting traded. All signs, all media, even his own words told you pretty plainly that he'd be traded. I don't see any of that with Skinner. Or JS53 as laff fans would probably say.
- TheSabresTaco

5kinn3r

- Yankee fans

If you're hinting that Skinner is turned off by all the recent losing, isn't HE part of this recent losing?
- Powerslave

One of the big storylines this month will be whether Buffalo can extend the contract of Skinner, who is a pending unrestricted free agent. Some may worry that splitting him from Eichel will prompt him to split from Buffalo, but the left winger says daily changes don’t impact long-term thinking.

“Jack’s a great player, but I think a lot goes into sort of playing on a team,” Skinner said. “If we’re going to have success, we’re going to have to have success as a unit: all four lines, all six D, both goalies. For me, I just want to try to be a piece of the puzzle and sort of contribute in a way that helps the team win.”

Where are you getting this info that they're procrastinating? No one said that.

They could have an entire framework written, a handshake deal in place, but are waiting until the 8th year can be added.
- Powerslave

We were going to get a deal done in January per reports, now nothing. 12 days away from TDL, he still has an NMC. If they work out a deal and he signs on the 25th or 26th for the 8th year, great, but come the 27th, I'll know he's going elsewhere.

I don't understand what is so jaw dropping about this. It seems pretty logical that if he isn't signed long term in the next two weeks he won't be a Sabre next year, he'll go UFA and sign elsewhere.

Had Skinner's camp ever said this, I would find it hard to believe McKenzie or Lebrun wouldn't have figured it out yet. There isn't a single source that believes he'll be traded or run to UFA like Panarin and probably Bob.
- TheSabresTaco

Maybe skinners camp doesn't run their mouth's?

What's hard to see?

We were going to get a deal done in January per reports, now nothing. 12 days away from TDL, he still has an NMC. If they work out a deal and he signs on the 25th or 26th for the 8th year, great, but come the 27th, I'll know he's going elsewhere.

I don't understand what is so jaw dropping about this. It seems pretty logical that if he isn't signed long term in the next two weeks he won't be a Sabre next year, he'll go UFA and sign elsewhere.
- RhinoFan

No. Discussions were to start in January.

No reason to not be a little nervous. There hasn't even been a whisper about either party being discontent. The opposite is true with Ottawa's UFAs, and Kane last year. Even in December, you pretty much knew he was getting traded. All signs, all media, even his own words told you pretty plainly that he'd be traded. I don't see any of that with Skinner. Or JS53 as laff fans would probably say.
- TheSabresTaco

This is true. I chalk it up to Botts and his closed door mentality. He could have a deal worked out with JS53 for TDL day. It's definitely possible. At this point, that's what I'm banking on as the reason they've waited. 8 years would be only reason. While Botts is tight lipped, if a deal was already worked out, I'd imagine that would be leaked somehow. Heard nothing about discontent, but I haven't heard of a deal being close either.

If you're hinting that Skinner is turned off by all the recent losing, isn't HE part of this recent losing?
- Powerslave

I wasn't hinting towards winning, but you brought up a good point.

If I were skinner, I would like a kick at the cup this season. Try a new team/ city. He's young.

Gonna cash in july 1st regardless. Just not a 8th year.

Maybe skinners camp doesn't run their mouth's?

What's hard to see?
- Boss34

What's not hard to see is that the good NHL insiders are able to figure out what each high end UFA is going to do prior to the deadline. They can at least tell you which ones are being dangled, which ones are looking to be traded, which ones are going UFA.

Based on all evidence I've seen, or lack there of (I'll list all of it if you need me to) there's no reason to panic. He will be re-signed.

No. Discussions were to start in January.
- TheSabresTaco

We're middle of Feb now.

Just saying, the talks don't seem to have went well. We got told they were talking, then radio silence.

IMO 8 years for Skinner isn't a win either.

What's not hard to see is that the good NHL insiders are able to figure out what each high end UFA is going to do prior to the deadline. They can at least tell you which ones are being dangled, which ones are looking to be traded, which ones are going UFA.

Based on all evidence I've seen, or lack there of (I'll list all of it if you need me to) there's no reason to panic. He will be re-signed.
- TheSabresTaco

If he signs before the 27th, all good. Come end of business on the 27th, do I have the right to freak out and start throwing things?

Sometimes you have to ask yourself what a good agent would tell him. It's simple: wait. All the pressure is on Buffalo

We were going to get a deal done in January per reports, now nothing. 12 days away from TDL, he still has an NMC. If they work out a deal and he signs on the 25th or 26th for the 8th year, great, but come the 27th, I'll know he's going elsewhere.

I don't understand what is so jaw dropping about this. It seems pretty logical that if he isn't signed long term in the next two weeks he won't be a Sabre next year, he'll go UFA and sign elsewhere.
- RhinoFan

Reports are bullsh!t speculation (just like this site) until they actually happen.

This is true. I chalk it up to Botts and his closed door mentality. He could have a deal worked out with JS53 for TDL day. It's definitely possible. At this point, that's what I'm banking on as the reason they've waited. 8 years would be only reason. While Botts is tight lipped, if a deal was already worked out, I'd imagine that would be leaked somehow. Heard nothing about discontent, but I haven't heard of a deal being close either.
- RhinoFan

I think it would be fair to assume that if Skinner isn't asked to waive his NMC, as well as remains unsigned after the TDL, we could conclude that he will be re-signed before July 1. I just can't imagine Botts, who hasn't let anyone worth their salt walk yet, would let him walk for nothing. I just don't see it. Is it possible? Sure. But it's so highly improbable.

Plus, the kid is an elite goal scorer. Letting that walk would be so (frank)ing dumb.

We're middle of Feb now.

Just saying, the talks don't seem to have went well. We got told they were talking, then radio silence.

IMO 8 years for Skinner isn't a win either.
- RhinoFan

And it's been said that Botts holds things pretty close to the vest. Everything is on a need to know basis, and none of us "need to know".

If he signs before the 27th, all good. Come end of business on the 27th, do I have the right to freak out and start throwing things?
- RhinoFan

Yes.

He will be signed on the 25th, and it will be for 8 years - the cost of doing business. I wouldn't be surprised to see 5 years have a MNTC

I will stake my life savings of internet points on it.

We're middle of Feb now.

Just saying, the talks don't seem to have went well. We got told they were talking, then radio silence.

IMO 8 years for Skinner isn't a win either.
- RhinoFan

I don't know where this conclusion comes from. Contracts can take months. If he started after the All Star break, as reported, they've been actively working on a contract for..2 weeks.

Eichel took 3 months.
Matthews took 7 months.
Marner isn't signed yet.
Reinhart took 3 months.
Nylander took 5 months.
Theodore took 3 months.

If there's not an urgency, both parties are going to take all the time they need to find a middle ground. UFAs clearly have the upper hand, but if the intentions are there that he wants to be a part of the long term solution (there has been absolutely zero indication he does not) then they have 5 months to figure this out. Now, we all hope it's done much sooner than that.

Yes.

He will be signed on the 25th, and it will be for 8 years - the cost of doing business. I wouldn't be surprised to see 5 years have a MNTC

I will stake my life savings of internet points on it.
- jcragcrumple

I'll put all my internet points on him signing long term with the Sabres if he is not traded at the TDL.

I would double down on him not being traded at the TDL.

They probably haven't come to an agreement in total yet. But I'm confident that an 8-year deal will be signed on TDL day, the day he's able to sign that deal.
- jcragcrumple

just my opinion, but I would not sign any player over the age of 25 to an 8 year deal.. It rarely works out well for the team after 3 years.

And it's been said that Botts holds things pretty close to the vest. Everything is on a need to know basis, and none of us "need to know".
- Powerslave

yes we do. why can't Sabres HB be a part of the negotiations.

Reports are bullsh!t speculation (just like this site) until they actually happen.
- Powerslave

That's why I'm worried, nothing has happened, even the speculators are quiet. We don't know what's going on. Our hands are already tied, so no sense worrying about it, but I would be sad to see him go, especially for free.

yes we do. why can't Sabres HB be a part of the negotiations.
- TheSabresTaco

😂

Could you imagine? 🤦‍♂️

Yes.

He will be signed on the 25th, and it will be for 8 years - the cost of doing business. I wouldn't be surprised to see 5 years have a MNTC

I will stake my life savings of internet points on it.
- jcragcrumple

Again, that's fair. I am, without a doubt, rooting for you to be right and retain your internet savings.

just my opinion, but I would not sign any player over the age of 25 to an 8 year deal.. It rarely works out well for the team after 3 years.
- hehateme

Elite style players are a bit different. And Skinner plays a low contact, elite shooting game. I can certainly understand the concern though.