what to do with Jeff Skinner. Now that’s the question of the year as the Sabres try to rebuild to a Stanley Cup contender. Here is a 27 year old in his prime who had 36 Goals this year and is on pace to score 50+. He is the prototypical Left Wing in today’s NHL: fast, tenacious, gritty and talented. He can score, dish and for check. He is a special talent. Of note, however, is this is the first time in his career that he’s played with a right handed center. This is a huge benefit, especially when that righty is Jack Eichel.
We are now 9 days from the trade deadline. Skinner becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent after the season. I hear guys in the press, on the radio and on Twitter, Darren Dreger included, that say they aren’t worried about signing hi before the trade deadline. They claim: “his agent has a great relationship with Botterill”, “he loves it here in Buffalo”, “he and Jack work great together”. Then why hasn’t he signed a contract? His agent and Botterill have been “working on a deal” for almost six months. Why hasn’t it gotten done? What makes anybody think that if it doesn’t get done by the trade deadline that it will get done after it when he has the opportunity to play ANYWHERE HE WANTS?
Here is my problem in the whole situation: you have the biggest asset in the NHL at the trade deadline. The guy who will be the top UFA come July 1st. He is a guy you either HAVE TO SIGN OR YOU HAVE TO TRADE in order to keep the franchise moving forward. This franchise CANNOT take the chance that this kid walks at the end of the year in free agency. To have this kind of an asset and to allow him to go elsewhere, without compensation, would set this franchise back years and SHOULD cost Botterill his job.
That said, I believe that if you don’t have him signed, or at least an agreement in principle done, before February 25th trade deadline you have to trade him and recoup sufficient assets to keep the rebuild moving forward. You should be able to get significant young talent and picks for this guy from a cup contender. Those young players can help this team next year and in future years when the Sabres are contenders.
I truly believe the Sabres should sign Skinner now. I don’t get what the delay is. They have t know what he’ll get in free agency and have to know what it will cost to keep him here. What are they waiting for? Why have we gone five months with nothing? Maybe they sign him in the next nine days. If they don’t they better not take the chance of him walking out the door without any compensation at all.