Free agent winger Jeff Skinner has signed a one-year deal worth $3MM with the Sharks, according to a team press release. He was one of the few of our top 50 unrestricted free agents who remained unsigned heading into the second week of the new league year.
Skinner, 33, has averaged 0.65 points per game for his career and is a skilled shooter, finishing at an 11.2% clip in 1,078 career regular-season games. His lengthy career has been plagued by peaks and valleys that ultimately resulted in the Sabres buying out the final three seasons of his eight-year, $72MM extension last summer.
He quickly landed with the Oilers on an identical contract to this one when the market opened last year, but the fit wasn’t great. He spent most of his time in a bottom-six role, not particularly conducive to his offensive skillset, and turned out just 16 goals and 29 points in 72 games as a result. Those were his lowest offensive totals in three years, accompanied by the lowest deployment of his career at 13 minutes per game.
He’ll hope for better results with the Sharks, who needed another veteran forward for multiple reasons. Not only did they need another body in case they decide fringe youngsters like Collin Graf or Cameron Lund would be better served with AHL time out of the gate, but they needed to add salary to ensure they stay above the cap floor while debating what to do with their logjam of depth defensemen.
Skinner accomplishes both those objectives while hopefully adding an infusion to the league’s worst offense in 2024-25 in expanded minutes. The Sharks averaged 2.54 goals per game last season but now add a six-time 30-goal threat on a virtually zero-risk deal, even if he’s coming off a disappointing campaign in Edmonton.
San Jose hasn’t made many offseason moves at forward, although they did pick up enforcer Ryan Reaves in a trade last night and signed depth pieces Adam Gaudette and Philipp Kurashev in free agency. The bulk of their talent-adding has come on the back end, where they’ve added veterans John Klingberg, Nick Leddy, and Dmitry Orlov via signings and waiver claims.
After their recent moves, the Sharks are now $4.36MM above the $70.6MM lower limit with $20.54MM in cap space, per PuckPedia. While they’ll still lean primarily on youngsters like Macklin Celebrini, William Eklund, and Will Smith for offense, they’ve done a better job this summer of insulating their next wave of players with added quality veteran talent.
Image courtesy of Perry Nelson-Imagn Images.
Wow! Grier is handing out money like Holloween candy.
Hahaha he signed someone to a mid level AAV on a one year contract. The team is barely above the cap floor. You need a new hobby.
No need to splain Lucy, At 3 million, At least swing for Jack Roslovic. And BTW, Stop pretending to be in the room.
Oh yes, he’s totally messed up their salary cap situation this year 🙄
Yeah Roslovic ain’t signing for 3M. I know YOU think that’s all he’s worth but he put up over 20 goals last year. He’s probably getting 5M as crazy as that sounds.
You are probably right, And let Toronto, Or anyone else overpay for him.
An Allergy to the playoffs
Thought he was headed to Dallas to assist David Pelletier.
He would probably do better as a figure skater. Then his low production wouldn’t matter. He can just go skate!
You mean “stop pointing out how dumb your takes are”?
Somebody can’t afford Jurassic movie tickets.
@sparky I’m sure someone you know could spot you a couple of bucks to buy those movie tickets
It’s not a bad move to help with their young guys and the offence. Then trade him for a lottery ticket at the deadline.
I’m sure Roslovic is the better move, but I’m also sure he’s looking for a longer deal.
So I’m wrong, And yet, I’m right. Got it.
No, you’re just annoying. That’s it.
Thank you! Lol.
Jeff Skinner is the new Kevin Labanc, Grier could have signed Skinner for a third of what he paid. Lol.
I guess one year of the playoffs was enough for him.
Roslovic has scored 20 goals exactly twice in his nine years in the bigs, He averages 11.3 goals per season, It’s also likely not a coincidence that he put up a career high 22 markers in a contract season. So based on the facts, Roslovic is worth about 3 million on a one year deal, Skinner currently is worth between the league minimum, And 900 thousand on a one year deal. I’m hoping Toronto gives Roslovic 3 years at 5. That’s entertainment.
Rental, could have a 50% retention at the deadline if anyone wants him for at most a 4th round pick
The idea this year is to win the lottery. To this end, whatever talent they have needs to be diluted enough to finish below the Penguins. They also need to get over the cap floor.
They don’t need any quality new signings in San Jose.