Veteran goal-scorer Jeff Skinner and Stanley Cup champion Nicolas Aube-Kubel secure international contracts, leading a wave of North American talent seeking fresh opportunities in Switzerland and the KHL.
There has finally been some movement around the hockey world. Over the last week, there have been two former NHL players Jeff Skinner and Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who have both decided to continue their careers overseas.
Skinner, a six-time 30-goal scorer and former Calder Trophy winner, signed a one-year deal with Swiss club EHC Biel-Bienne in the National League. The 34-year-old saw his contract mutually terminated by the San Jose Sharks midway through last season after recording 13 points in 32 games. Following an impressive 16-year North American career spanning over 1,100 games, the veteran winger heads to Switzerland to reignite his offensive touch in a top-line role.
Meanwhile, Aubé-Kubel is heading to the KHL after agreeing to a one-year contract with Dinamo Minsk. The 30-year-old Stanley Cup champion spent the majority of last season in the AHL with the Iowa Wild, appearing in just six NHL games with Minnesota.
These aren’t going to be the last of NHL players who are still without a job who will look to International hockey leagues for a job. Especially with the start of most seasons in just over a month, there are too many players looking for work and not enough jobs available.
