NHL Free Agency Frenzy
As the NHL kicked off its free agency period, teams scrambled to make high-profile signings, fueled by an expanding salary cap and a limited selection of unrestricted free agents, especially in key positions such as centers and top-tier defensemen. Among the notable players still without a contract four days into the frenzy is Jeff Skinner, a former forward for the Buffalo Sabres.
Jeff Skinner’s Recent Career Moves
At 33, Skinner was released from the last three years of his hefty eight-year, $72 million contract last summer. Following his buyout, he quickly inked a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Edmonton Oilers. The expectation was that Skinner would slot into a top-six role, especially with fellow ex-Sabre Evander Kane sidelined for the entire season ahead.
Challenges in Edmonton
However, Skinner faced challenges in Edmonton, primarily contributing to the bottom-six forwards instead of the anticipated scoring role. His performance dropped notably from 24 goals in Buffalo to 16 during his season with the Oilers. Although he finally experienced playoff action—marking the first postseason game of his 15-year career—he was soon replaced in the lineup by Kane.
“Skinner did reclaim his position later in the playoffs, stepping in for the injured Zach Hyman during the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars.”
He found some offensive success, scoring his first playoff goal in a crucial series-clinching game versus Dallas and netting three goals during the Oilers’ six-game battle in the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. Despite those contributions, the Oilers have made moves that complicate Skinner’s potential return to Edmonton.
Future Uncertainty
This week, they re-signed Trent Frederic, Kasperi Kapanen, and welcomed new unrestricted free agents Andrew Mangiapane and Curtis Lazar, leaving them with a tight cap space of less than $200,000. It appears uncertain whether the veteran winger will continue his career in Alberta or if he will be searching for new opportunities elsewhere.
