GARTH'S CORNER: Skins Game

luv other budding difference makers. Just how many do you need t make the playoffs though?

luv other budding difference makers. Just how many do you need t make the playoffs though?
- daryl stanley

at least 1 more then the flyers had last season

at least 1 more then the flyers had last season
- homiedclown

which would be how many

which would be how many
- daryl stanley

If they sign Skinner, theyre probably still 2 forwards and a D away. But theres a lot of ifs. Reinhart has gotten better every season, if he goes one notch higher... If Casey Middlestadt adds some muscle and takes the same sort of jump that Reinhart has been the last two years, If Olafsson can actually get 20-25 over a season.

They have some top end core pieces, Jack, Sam, Jeff, and Dahlin. They just need to upgrade the rest.

The Skinner situation (which would make a great band name if he was musically inclined) intrigues me. Everything I have ever read about BUF and Skinner has been that he is going to re-sign. But, they have had the chance to do so all throughout the season, into the off-season and now leading up the the draft.
Again, all signs are pointing to him signing. But he hasn't yet. Am I missing something? I am skeptical of all the positive news of him re-signing. Don't get me wrong, I think it is the right move for both parties, but given that fact why isn't this deal done?
BUF doesn't have any Cap issues like with the WIN/Laine scenario. Makes me wonder what is going on.

The Skinner situation (which would make a great band name if he was musically inclined) intrigues me. Everything I have ever read about BUF and Skinner has been that he is going to re-sign. But, they have had the chance to do so all throughout the season, into the off-season and now leading up the the draft.
Again, all signs are pointing to him signing. But he hasn't yet. Am I missing something? I am skeptical of all the positive news of him re-signing. Don't get me wrong, I think it is the right move for both parties, but given that fact why isn't this deal done?
BUF doesn't have any Cap issues like with the WIN/Laine scenario. Makes me wonder what is going on.
- Thomas Townsend

My pure speculation was that he was clearly happy in the hockey market/proximity to family. It looked like he got along well with his teammates, and Eichel likes him which is HUGE. However, this is likely his last big ticket to sign so he wanted to do it right. The Sabres clearly weren't keeping around Housley, Bott's future was in question, so those question marks had to take place before Skinner felt comfortable moving forward. Assuming his camp felt comfortable with Krueger being hired, he thinks the young core will continue to develop, etc. The one quote that always stuck out to me was how he was commenting on Dahlin that "he's going to continue to get better throughout the years too. Which is good for US, and scary for everyone else".

Just wait til the throwback photo of Skinner in a Leafs blankie surfaces July 1st

Talks picked up again after the Kruger hiring. Lousley was clearly lost as a head coach, so I assume that had someting to do with it.

I think the coaching search was the big hold up. I also am still hopeful that it is no more than $8m per.

As much as Skinner would like to RE-sign in Buffalo, his agent is using his leverage for the max AAV. My feeling is it’s 8 years, 70 mil. Buffalo has been in the basement too long to have any leverage. They’ll pay it, or stay in the basement another few years. They need his talent. Time will tell.

If they sign Skinner, theyre probably still 2 forwards and a D away. But theres a lot of ifs. Reinhart has gotten better every season, if he goes one notch higher... If Casey Middlestadt adds some muscle and takes the same sort of jump that Reinhart has been the last two years, If Olafsson can actually get 20-25 over a season.

They have some top end core pieces, Jack, Sam, Jeff, and Dahlin. They just need to upgrade the rest.
- RippedFuel

This

Skinner wants a lot on money for goals and being a negative plus- minus player. No thanks, he still needs to work on his all around game.

Skinner wants a lot on money for goals and being a negative plus- minus player. No thanks, he still needs to work on his all around game.
- CappyJr.

Totally. I mean Eichel had a worse +/- at -11 and he's being paid $10M! What are you guys doing over there? LOL

Dude... +/- is one of the most useless stats in hockey. Now, I may agree that Skinner at the proposed price-range is too much for a guy who potted 40 goals for the first time after nine seasons.

Could he do it again? Sure, but I think it's more than likely he returns to right around 30 goals and I don't think that 30 goals and around 60 points is worth $9M. I think $7.5M is more than fair for a player like Skinner, but hey, you guys have plenty of cap space.

Totally. I mean Eichel had a worse +/- at -11 and he's being paid $10M! What are you guys doing over there? LOL

Dude... +/- is one of the most useless stats in hockey. Now, I may agree that Skinner at the proposed price-range is too much for a guy who potted 40 goals for the first time after nine seasons.

Could he do it again? Sure, but I think it's more than likely he returns to right around 30 goals and I don't think that 30 goals and around 60 points is worth $9M. I think $7.5M is more than fair for a player like Skinner, but hey, you guys have plenty of cap space.
- Rinosaur

I don't think he will get more than 8m from another team. Add on the extra year the Sabres can give him and I firmly agree, 7.5x8yrs is where it should be.