BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres have not yet made a decision on a Jeff Skinner buyout.
Those were the words straight from general manager Kevyn Adams in Las Vegas on Thursday, meeting with reporters on the eve of the NHL Draft.
Buffalo has until Sunday at 5 p.m. ET to decide on whether or not they will buy out Skinner's contract, and according to Adams, the team is still in communication with Skinner's camp and discussing all options.
“Everything’s on the table," Adams said. "We’re going to look at every possible scenario, whether that’s trade opportunities to make our team better, who’s out there in free agency. Those are things we’re looking at and juggling. No final decision has been made on Jeff yet. .… We’re not at that point. We can still continue to see how this all shakes out."
After tallying 82 points the previous season, the now 32-year-old forward saw a significant dip in production this past year, posting 46 points in 74 games.
Skinner has three years left on his deal that carries an average annual value of $9 million. The Sabres would save around $7.5 million should the team buy out Skinner's contract, but he would carry a cap hit the following six seasons, ranging from just over $1,444,445 the first year; to $4,444,445 the second year, and $6,444,445 the third year; to $2,444,445 the final three years.
“What’re potential trades we think could make our team better?" Adams said about what the team has to consider. "If we made a move, where does Jeff slot it in our lineup? Jeff’s been an elite scorer in this league for a long time, but if not playing a top line, top minute type role, where do you slot a player like that? Those are kind of all the things you’re weighing? Like I said, we’re heavily in those conversations internally and externally and we still have time to make our final decision."
Adams also added there hasn't been any indication that Skinner would waive his no-move clause for a trade.
"There’s been honest communication but no indication that’s something they’re willing to look at, but all you can do is just have honest conversations and explain certain situations that could be out there and we’ve done that, but I wouldn’t say there’s been any sort of traction or movement,” Adams said.
Whatever happens with Skinner, Adams said the decision will be made with an eye toward the team improving from the year it had in 2023-2024.
“We underperformed last year as a group," he said. "We have to make hard decisions up and down our lineup. We have to figure out ways to get better, and that’s every decision we make this offseason is with that in mind and that’ll be part of this process we go through with Jeff."