Edmonton Oilers Sign Jeff Skinner in Major Offseason Move
In a significant development during the offseason, the Edmonton Oilers have bolstered their forward lineup by signing seasoned forward Jeff Skinner to a one-year contract valued at $3 million. Skinner, whose previous tenure with the Buffalo Sabres ended with a buyout, brings a wealth of experience and proven goal-scoring ability to the Oilers, who came tantalizingly close to clinching the Stanley Cup last season.
Skinner's background is notable for his initial eight-year contract with the Sabres, which was worth an impressive $9 million annually. In the first year under that lucrative deal, Skinner proved his worth by netting 40 goals, solidifying his reputation as a high-caliber scorer. However, his performance saw a decline between 2019 and 2021, during which he posted 21 goals and 35 points over 112 games. This dip led to the Sabres’ decision to buy out the remaining years of his contract.
Despite this mid-contract slump, Skinner demonstrated resilience and a return to form in subsequent seasons. The 2021-22 season saw Skinner amassing 30 goals and 63 points, followed by an even more impressive 2022-23 campaign where he registered 35 goals and a career-high 82 points. Most recently, Skinner tallied 24 goals and 46 points, showing he still possesses the offensive prowess that teams covet.
Throughout his career, Skinner has had six 20-goal seasons and three 30-goal seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, further underscoring his capability as a consistent goal scorer. For the Oilers, securing Skinner's services involved strategic financial maneuvering, including buying out the final three years of goaltender Jack Campbell's contract, which had been a $5 million annual expense. This move helped create the necessary cap space to accommodate Skinner.
Cap Space and Roster Adjustments
In addition to Skinner's signing, the Oilers also made other notable roster adjustments. Forwards Connor Brown and Corey Perry were re-signed to one-year deals totaling $2.15 million, while Viktor Arvidsson was secured on a two-year deal worth $4 million annually. Defenseman Josh Brown joined the team on a three-year contract at $1 million annually. Conversely, Warren Foegele signed a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings, marking his departure from Edmonton.
The Oilers now face a tight cap situation heading into the new season, with less than $1.35 million in available cap space. This financial constraint necessitates careful management, especially considering the team still needs to negotiate new deals for restricted free agents Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway.
High Hopes and Historical Context
The Oilers’ aggressive offseason maneuvers reflect their high expectations and ambitions to capture the Stanley Cup, a feat the franchise has not accomplished since 1990. After a near-victory last season, the addition of Skinner and the other key signings are aimed at pushing the team over the edge and finally ending their long-standing championship drought.
By reinforcing the squad with experienced and skilled players, the Oilers are clearly signaling their intent to be serious contenders this upcoming season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these changes translate on the ice and whether they will be enough to propel Edmonton to the pinnacle of hockey success.