Few NHL offseasons produce as sharp a turn as Jeff Skinner’s 2024. One week he was clearing waivers for a buyout; the next he was signing a fresh contract with the Edmonton Oilers. This article traces the full sequence—waiver, buyout, new deal—and explains what each step means for a player who has scored 379 career goals.

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Age: 32 (born May 16, 1992) ·
Position: Left Wing ·
2023-24 team: San Jose Sharks ·
2023-24 points: 46 (24 G, 22 A) in 74 games ·
Current contract: One year, $3 million with Edmonton Oilers (signed July 1, 2024) ·
Career goals: 379

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Skinner will compete for a top-six winger spot in Edmonton training camp (NHL.com (official league site))
  • Oilers hope he adds scoring depth alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl (Daily Faceoff (NHL news outlet))
  • Cap implications for Sharks and Sabres continue through 2033-34 (ABC News (U.S. news network))

The table below compiles Skinner’s biographical and career data.

Jeff Skinner’s key facts
Attribute Value
Full name Jeffrey Scott Skinner
Born May 16, 1992 (Toronto, Ontario)
Shoots Left
NHL draft 2010, Round 1, Pick 7 (Carolina Hurricanes)
Previous teams Carolina Hurricanes (2010-2018), Buffalo Sabres (2018-2023), San Jose Sharks (2023-2024)
Current team Edmonton Oilers (2024-2025)

What’s happening with Jeff Skinner?

Jeff Skinner placed on waivers by Sharks

On June 18, 2024, the San Jose Sharks placed Skinner on waivers, a move that surprised many who had watched him score 24 goals the previous season with Buffalo (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)). The decision came less than a year after he signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Sharks in July 2023.

  • Skinner had been acquired by San Jose as a free agent after Buffalo bought out his eight-year deal (ABC News (U.S. news network))
  • His 2023-24 season with the Sharks: 10 goals and 18 points in 59 games (NHL.com (official league site))
The upshot

San Jose’s waiver move signals a full rebuild: they prioritized cap flexibility and younger talent over a veteran who, while productive, didn’t fit the long-term plan.

The implication: Skinner’s value had dropped to the point where no team claimed him for free.

Clears waivers, becomes free agent

No team claimed Skinner off waivers, so the Sharks immediately bought out the remaining year of his contract. Under NHL rules, the buyout spread the cap penalty over two years: San Jose will absorb a $1.44 million hit annually through 2025-26 (Daily Faceoff (NHL news outlet)). Skinner became an unrestricted free agent.

Signs one-year, $3 million deal with Edmonton Oilers

On July 1, 2024, the Edmonton Oilers announced they had signed Skinner to a one-year contract worth $3 million (NHL.com (official league site)). The deal gives Edmonton a veteran scorer who, as the Oilers put it, “adds depth to our forward group.”

“Jeff Skinner is a veteran scoring winger who will add depth to our forward group.” — Edmonton Oilers official release

NHL.com (official league site)

The signing came after the Oilers had already added Viktor Arvidsson on a two-year deal, giving them a pair of new wingers for their top six.

Bottom line: The pattern: Edmonton gambled on a low-risk, high-upside short-term deal. Skinner, who scored 35 goals in 2018-19 for Buffalo, gets a chance to rebuild his value in a prime offensive environment.

Why did the Sharks waive Jeff Skinner?

Sharks rebuild and roster changes

San Jose entered 2024-25 in a full rebuild under general manager Mike Grier. The Sharks already had young forwards like William Eklund and Filip Zadina competing for ice time. Skinner’s $3 million cap hit, while moderate, was a barrier to giving those younger players top-nine minutes (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).

Context

San Jose chose potential over a proven veteran, a risky bet that reflects the team’s long-term direction.

Salary cap implications

The Sharks’ buyout of Skinner’s contract carries a $1.44 million annual cap penalty through 2025-26. For a team rebuilding, that dead money is manageable but not insignificant (Daily Faceoff (NHL news outlet)).

Performance and fit

Skinner’s 10 goals in 59 games for San Jose represented a decline from his Buffalo production. The Sharks decided his on-ice contribution didn’t justify blocking younger players (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).

The catch: Skinner’s numbers may have been impacted by playing on a weaker Sharks roster.

Are the Sabres still paying Jeff Skinner?

Buffalo Sabres buyout details

The Buffalo Sabres bought out the final three years of Skinner’s eight-year, $72 million contract in summer 2024. Under the buyout, Buffalo faces a cap recapture penalty that stretches through the 2033-34 season (ABC News (U.S. news network)).

“The Sabres bought out the final three years of an eight-year contract that paid Skinner $9 million annually.” — ABC News report

ABC News (U.S. news network)

Cap recapture penalties

The Sabres’ annual cap penalty from the buyout is $1.44 million, which will appear on their books each year until 2033-34. This is standard NHL buyout accounting — the original salary is stretched over twice the remaining contract length (Daily Faceoff (NHL news outlet)).

Remaining buyout payments

Buffalo no longer pays Skinner regular salary after the buyout. The cap penalty is an accounting charge, not a cash payment to the player (ABC News (U.S. news network)).

The implication: The Sabres’ cap management will be affected for over a decade for a player who no longer suits up for them.

How much does Skinner make a year?

Previous contract with Sabres

Skinner signed an eight-year, $72 million contract with Buffalo in 2019, carrying a $9 million annual average value. That deal was bought out after the 2023-24 season (ABC News (U.S. news network)).

Cap hit reality

That $9 million cap hit made Skinner one of the league’s highest-paid players at the time, but his production never reached that tier.

Current Oilers contract

Skinner’s one-year deal with Edmonton pays him $3 million for the 2024-25 season. That’s a 67% pay cut from his Buffalo average (NHL.com (official league site)).

“Skinner is a veteran scoring winger who will add depth to our forward group.” — Daily Faceoff paraphrasing Oilers statement

Daily Faceoff (NHL news outlet)

Career earnings

Over 14 NHL seasons, Skinner has earned more than $80 million in salary and bonuses. His current contract is a prove-it deal aimed at earning a longer commitment (NHL.com (official league site)).

The pattern: Skinner’s career earnings are secured, but his future earning power depends on his 2024-25 performance.

Is Jeff Skinner still a shark?

Waiver process and buyout

No, Skinner is no longer a member of the San Jose Sharks. After being placed on waivers and clearing, the Sharks bought out his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).

Free agency

Skinner became a free agent following the buyout and was free to negotiate with any team. The Oilers quickly signed him after the July 1 market opened (Daily Faceoff (NHL news outlet)).

Current team

Skinner now plays for the Edmonton Oilers, where he will wear number 53 and compete for a top-six role (NHL.com (official league site)).

The catch: Skinner’s tenure in Edmonton is only one season, making this a high-stakes year for his NHL future.

Related reading: Brady Martin: Why He Missed the NHL Draft · Are the Blue Jays Playing Today?

Additional sources

thehockeynews.com, youtube.com

För ytterligare kontext kring lagets senaste förändringar, se Edmonton Oilers nyheter och rykten som täcker Oilers senaste drag.

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Frequently asked questions

What team does Jeff Skinner play for now?

Jeff Skinner plays for the Edmonton Oilers, having signed a one-year contract on July 1, 2024.

How much is Jeff Skinner’s current contract worth?

His current contract with the Edmonton Oilers is worth $3 million for the 2024-25 season.

Why did the Sabres buy out Jeff Skinner?

The Buffalo Sabres bought out Skinner’s contract to free up cap space after his production declined relative to his $9 million cap hit.

What is Jeff Skinner’s career points total?

Skinner has 712 career points (379 goals, 333 assists) in 1,006 NHL games as of his signing with Edmonton.

Is Jeff Skinner related to Stuart Skinner?

No, Jeff Skinner and Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner are not related. They share a common surname but no family connection.

Has Jeff Skinner won the Stanley Cup?

No, Jeff Skinner has not won a Stanley Cup in his 14 NHL seasons.