In a move that sees a veteran scorer heading geographically south in more ways than one, forward Jeff Skinner has signed a one-year contract worth $3 million with the San Jose Sharks.
The deal, announced Friday, brings the 33-year-old winger to California after spending the past season with the Edmonton Oilers. While his time in Edmonton was relatively brief and saw him record 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) across 72 regular season games, it notably included his long-awaited first taste of the NHL playoffs. Skinner appeared in five postseason games with the Oilers as they made a deep run to the Stanley Cup Final, registering a goal and an assist.
Drafted seventh overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2010, Skinner burst onto the league scene immediately, capturing the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in the 2010-11 season with an impressive 63 points. His career journey took him to the Buffalo Sabres ahead of the 2018-19 season, where he showcased his significant scoring potential, netting a career-high 40 goals in his first year with the club. He later surpassed his previous point best, tallying 82 points (35 goals, 47 assists) in the 2022-23 campaign.
However, his tenure in Buffalo concluded when the Sabres opted to buy out the remaining years of his substantial contract in the summer of 2024, making him a free agent looking for a new opportunity. Over 1,078 career games with Carolina, Buffalo, and Edmonton, Skinner has amassed 699 points, split between 373 goals and 326 assists.
The move to San Jose sees Skinner join a team currently undergoing a significant rebuild. For a player just coming off his first playoff appearance – a trip all the way to the Final, no less – landing with a team near the bottom of the standings is a rather sharp turn. However, on a one-year, $3 million deal, it represents a low-risk acquisition for the Sharks. Skinner provides veteran leadership, a history of significant offensive production (even if his most recent season wasn`t his most prolific), and a respected presence in the locker room, all while not blocking the progress of their younger prospects long-term.
For Skinner, it`s an opportunity to potentially play a larger role than he saw in Edmonton and add another chapter to his extensive NHL career, this time under the California sun. The Sharks hope his experience and proven ability to find the back of the net can offer some guidance and offense as they navigate their path forward.
