There is a real chance that the Sabres will buy out one of their top players.
This past weekend, The Hockey News Buffalo's Michael Augello brought up the prospect of the Buffalo Sabres buying out Jeff Skinner to move on from his expensive contract. Now, more fuel is being added to that fire.
While on the Jeff Marek Show on Tuesday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman made it clear that he believes a Skinner buyout could occur once the window opens.
Here is what Friedman said on the matter: "We've been talking about it the last couple days. And I do think it's [Skinner buyout] possible... There have been some rumblings around the league that that is a possibility... Like I said, the Sabres aren't talking, and nobody is really talking here. But the word is definitely out there that a Skinner buyout is a possibility."
Skinner, 32, carries a $9 million cap hit until the end of the 2026-27 season. He also has a full no-movement clause, so he could block any potential trade from occurring. Thus, a buyout is the easiest way the Sabres could get rid of his contract if they want to move on from it.
Jeff SkinnerAs Friedman noted, a Skinner buyout would last six years. For the 2024-25 campaign, they would save over $7.5 million of cap space, which would put them in a grand position to make some notable moves this summer.
If Skinner gets bought out, these would be his cap hits for the next six seasons:
2024-25: $1,444,445
2025-26: $4,444,445
2026-27: $6,444,445
2027-28: $2,444,445
2028-29: $2,444,445
2029-30: $2,444,445
It will be intriguing to see what the Sabres do with Skinner from here.