Sabres buying out Jeff Skinner, opening $7.5M in cap space

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Sabres are buying out of the remaining three seasons on forward Jeff Skinner's contract, general manager Kevyn Adams said following the NHL Draft on Saturday in Las Vegas.

The move will provide Buffalo about $7.5 million in immediate salary cap relief, and the Sabres could have more than $30 million in cap space available for the start of free agency on Monday.

The 32-year-old Skinner was Buffalo's highest-paid forward with an annual salary of $9 million on the eight-year contract signed in 2019. The Sabres will absorb dead salary cap charges totaling $18 million over six seasons due to the buyout. The cap charges balloon to $4.4 million in 2025 and $6.4 million in 2026 after starting at $1.4 million this coming season, and stabilize at $2.4 million for the final three years.

Skinner scored 153 goals, ranking 18th in team history, in 457 games with the Sabres. His best season was his first, scoring 40 in his 2018-19 contract year after being acquired in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. After having his role reduced by coach Ralph Krueger for two seasons, Skinner revitalized his career in a top-line role under Don Granato, tallying 68 goals and 145 points over two seasons.

But Skinner regressed to produce 24 goals and 46 points in 2023-24. On top of that, Skinner's defensive shortcomings made him a poor lineup fit for returning coach Lindy Ruff. That hastened Buffalo's motivation to buyout the contract, along with Skinner being unwilling to waive his no movement clause to facilitate a trade.

Popular with fans and teammates, Skinner attained the dubious distinction of becoming the only player in history to skate in 1,000 NHL games without making the playoffs.