The NHL’s free-agent frenzy has died down, but there are still some interesting signings happening, and one of them has us questioning if veteran left winger Jeff Skinner will ever play another Stanley Cup playoff game again.
Skinner finally got his first taste of playoff action last year as a member of the Edmonton Oilers. However, Skinner barely played at all for the Oilers, appearing in only five post-season games and averaging just 12:13 of ice time while producing just one goal and two points in that span. The 33-year-old Skinner had waited 15 seasons to get into the playoffs, so needless to say, his lack of playoff success had to be a huge letdown.
But now, after not getting sufficient offers from playoff teams, Skinner has signed a one-year, $3-million contract with the San Jose Sharks – a team that, barring an outright miracle, is going to miss out on playoff action this coming season.
Of course, there is a road ahead that does see more playoff games for Skinner, but here’s how it will have to play out: not only will Skinner have to thrive in San Jose – something that’s not assured, given that he produced only 16 goals and 29 points in 72 games with the Oilers last season – but a legitimate playoff team will have to trade for Skinner.
Needless to say, that’s a situation that isn’t guaranteed to happen. But the intriguing part of Skinner signing with the Sharks is that he’s one of San Jose GM Mike Grier’s strategic moves to bring in veterans he can trade at or before the next NHL trade deadline.
Indeed, Grier has used much of his salary cap space this summer on experienced players who still have something to prove. In addition to Skinner, that group of veterans includes former St. Louis Blues defenseman Nick Leddy and former Oilers blueliner John Klingberg, both of whom have only one year left on their current contracts.
Add to that mix other Sharks players playing in a contract year – a group that includes winger Carl Grundstrom, winger Alexander Wennberg, enforcer Ryan Reaves, and blueliners Mario Ferraro, Timothy Liljegren and Vincent Desharnais, all of whom will be UFAs next summer – and you have a team that’s in a show-me state, playing to get a raise in San Jose or elsewhere next off-season.
Amazingly, Skinner’s new contract with San Jose includes a full no-trade clause through the end of January 2026. And after that, he has a list of eight teams he’ll accept a trade to. But make no mistake, if Skinner truly intends to make more of an impact in the post-season, he’s going to be angling to be moved by Grier as we move into the new calendar year.
As noted, many of the Sharks are in contract years. And if you include veterans such as defenseman Dmitry Orlov and center Adam Gaudette, each of whom just signed two-year contracts with the Sharks, there’s an even bigger group of San Jose players who will be attractive trade targets at next year’s trade deadline.
All things considered, Grier is going to be able to move a full 11 players who are either entering a contract year or who have one more year remaining on their deals. And that’s a tactical asset management maneuver by Grier designed to acquire prospects and draft picks to improve San Jose’s fortunes in the long haul.
As Grier has constructed his roster, next season will be a prove-it year for many Sharks players, Skinner included. And if Skinner ever intends on playing another playoff game, he’s going to have to show teams he still has something left to give.
Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.