Jeff Skinner Discussions Heating Up

One of the biggest prizes on the trade market as we inch closer to the start of the 2018 Entry Draft is Jeff Skinner, who could inject instant offense into almost any team in the league. The three-time 30-goal man has been confirmed available by his GM Don Waddell, and recently linked to the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings. Well now Darren Dreger of TSN reports that the Carolina Hurricanes are “inching closer” to a deal for Skinner, and adds that three teams—but not necessarily the ones listed above—are in the “late stages of discussions.” Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer doesn’t believe things are as close, and notes that the team has not asked Skinner to waive his no-trade clause for a specific team as of yet.

Skinner, 26, scored 24 goals and 49 points in what many consider a down year for the winger, but still provides tantalizing offensive potential for an acquiring team. The fact that he is basically plug-and-play 20-goal scorer with upside for much more, as well as being one of the most dynamic skaters in the league, should leave no one wondering why there are several teams after him down to the wire. With just a single year left on his current contract before unrestricted free agency though, he’s doesn’t provide a long-term option without agreeing to an extension. That’s something he can’t technically sign until July 1st, and something that’s not clear Skinner even wants at this point.

Scheduled to hit the open market at just 27, Skinner could position himself as one of the very best forwards available in free agency next summer. Though currently the group looks like a “Superclass” there could be plenty of extensions waiting for July 1st for players like Tyler Seguin, Logan Couture and Blake Wheeler. Even if there isn’t, Skinner still has one of the best resumes of any offensive player in the league, starting with his 31-goal rookie campaign in 2010-11.

It will be interesting to see what he costs as a rental option before the draft, if an extension isn’t agreed upon. The Hurricanes aren’t exactly in a position to rebuild, meaning they could target NHL-level players in return. Pittsburgh for instance had reportedly made Bryan Rust, Conor Sheary and Dominik Simon available to the Arizona Coyotes in negotiations over Max Domi. Perhaps Carolina would be interested in adding proven NHL talent like that in exchange for their expiring asset.