While extension discussions have been going on throughout the season, there still isn’t a new deal in place between the Sabres and winger Jeff Skinner. In an appearance on Sportsnet 590 (audio link), Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noted that the issue right now appears to be the term of the deal that the 26-year old is seeking.
The pending UFA got off to a torrid start to the season but has slowed down considerably since then and has just six goals over his last 25 games. However, he still has a good chance to reach the 40-goal mark for the first time in his career which would position him to be potentially the top scorer to hit the open market. (San Jose’s Joe Pavelski is also in the mix for the goal-scoring lead among potential free agents.)
Meanwhile, TSN’s Bob McKenzie weighed in on the financial side of talks while appearing on TSN 690 (audio link). He suggested that the asking price could be in the $9MM per year range which would represent a significant jump on his current AAV of $5.725MM.
However, despite how well Skinner has played alongside Jack Eichel, that type of financial commitment carries considerable risk given that there’s a chance he won’t even reach the 70-point mark; he’s at 58 through 70 games while his career high is 63. That’s a lot to commit for someone that doesn’t have a lengthy track record of being an elite scorer.
With that in mind, McKenzie believes Buffalo is looking for something closer to $8MM per season. That would still be a big jump but would put him a level below the recent deal that Mark Stone signed with Vegas (eight years, $9.5MM AAV) and would give them a little bit more cap flexibility with Eichel ($10MM) already on the books and a potentially big deal for rookie blueliner Rasmus Dahlin on the horizon in two years.
By all accounts, there doesn’t appear to be any animosity between the two sides as the discussions have been held close to the vest. However, the longer Skinner goes without a deal, the temptation to wait a little longer to see what’s out there on the open market has to increase. Accordingly, expect this to remain at or near the top of GM Jason Botterill’s to-do list over the next few months.
Feel like there’s going to be some serious buyers remorse for a team in a few years if these numbers are correct.
Sabs should have traded him at the deadline,,,huge mistake,,,,his injury history can’t equate to 9 a year AND long term.
He had (had) a NMC. He wasn’t going anywhere.
$8m per year on a deal that was 5 years (or less) probably wouldn’t hurt the Sabres that much long term. Anything more than $8.5 AAV and longer than 5 will come back to bite them. He’ll have some value as a 25+ goal scorer but teams will be hesitant to trade for him if he’s got a lot of term left. Imo Buffalo should let him walk. This just screams like the type of deal teams regret after 2-3 seasons.
Still not as bad as Ottawa trading for Duchene was eh Jd. I’m sure on the right team what about your sens Jd. Too bad this snow hasnt gone yet for you to get your clubs dusted off.
I think you’re right, but there will be pressure to sign this guy from the fans etc. He’s their one true sniper and it would be tough to let him walk.
It’s not like the Sabres can go out and get two fantastic goal scorers to replace him and improve. That would be nice.
They’re not the Red Sox or Yankees who can let guys walk and just pick up Replacements that are younger better.
No goals and only 5 points since Feb17 and mostly sputtering since Jan11. Almost screams *secret* injury of some kind, as he really looked he had reached the next level of expert sniping. Now, it seem more like a house of cards, unfortunately. Expensive, long-term deal would not be good for Buffalo.