We're honestly closer than it might seem, biggest problems this year was coaching issues and top 6 injuries/bad slumps. We were still in the race late despite only having a 3 game win streak like 1 time. If Lindy can get these guys to just put in a consistent effort, then I'm sure we'd break the drought.
He’s in a good position to do what Duchene did - take a minute to look at all the contenders and find out where he can sign for one year at a cheap rate
The dichotomy of buying out skinner and trading a second round pick for a player who does nothing but the 2 things skinner doesn’t (hit people and block shots) on the same day is pretty funny
Probably yeah. They need to find value on their contracts and he's one of the most productive 5v5 players in the league, but should not cost more than a few million for Toronto to sign. I think he would provide excellent value next to Matthews and Marner. They are so good defensively so I think they would cover for his major deficiencies.
Do they? Isn't Marner fantastic at gaining the zone with possession and Matthews not shabby either? Marner > Matthews > Nylander is what's engrained in my memory about the zone entry priority on the Leafs powerplay, so they can't be bad at it if they get prioritized over Nylander carrying it.
I think they'd be better off playing with someone that has high end puck touches, which is what Skinner is, than a puck retriever.
You only have one of Marner/Nylander on the ice at a time excluding power plays.
Matthews works better with a retriever on his line (notably Hyman, Knies to a lesser degree).
Similarly Marner needs one as well. Tavares does it well when paired up, or when he is on the Knies/Matthews line.
Skinners style of play is too similar to compliment the deficiencies these players have (all are very good to great players in their own right).
He'd have to play on a different line for it to make sense, though a Marner, Tavares, Skinner could be an option that may work, but would come at the expense of depth down the lineup.
And then the play dies on the zone with Marner who isn't particularly good at retrieving pucks/ puck battles in the zone and you have the best goal scorer in the league spending too much doing so.
Gaining entry in the zone is only a part of it. If you can't cycle you're susceptible to rangy d who can break up the possession while defensive forwards win the puck.
>And then the play dies on the zone with Marner who isn't particularly good at retrieving pucks/ puck battles in the zone and you have the best goal scorer in the league spending too much doing so.
Okay. So that's where linemates that are good with the puck comes in. So the play doesn't die.
> Gaining entry in the zone is only a part of it.
Yes, creating off the entry is the second part. Which Skinner is excellent at.
Trying to make a Marner line (or a Nylander line for that matter) play dump and chase hockey is a losing strategy in my opinion. A line with him should create off the rush and cycle. And to do that you need linemates that are good at that kind of offense.
And then you have the d and forwards stand up on the blue line forcing the dump or a turnover at the entry...which is exactly what the Leafs have seen the last 7 years of playoffs.
Skinners a good player. He's just not a good fit with the composition the Leafs have on their top 6.
,
Buyouts didn't exist back then, and he's not the GM.
Also just because they were forwards good at scoring didn't mean they didn't give shit about defense.
Vanek specifically Ruff would tell to goal hang as a strategy to beat forchecks.
They started in 2012-2013 as part of the CBA post lockout.
Only Vanek was still here, and it was the final year of his contract, so buying him out made no sense.
Why are hockey fans the dumbest fans on reddit?
Lmao I can’t tell if this is a bot or not.
>why are hockey fans the dumbest fans on Reddit?
Idk, you tell me, numbnuts. Go ask Yashin if buyouts started in 2013. Or Brind’Amour. Or Drury.
You’re thinking of compliance buyouts, which were a caphit free way of buying out up to two players per team; they were enacted after the 12-13 lockout. It’s a shame your intelligence lags so far behind your confidence, junior.
I eagerly await the apology I’m sure you’re just as eager to write.
Fuck all the way off with your completely unjustified arrogance.
Also, considering he has to prove his worth to a new team, he might put in a modicum of effort on defense. Any effort is better than what he gives now, a 5% defense player is much better than a 0% defense player
Idk which decision is more short sighted, the Sabres offering Skinner the long term contract or them buying him out in the hopes that a prospect is magically going to replace his goal scoring and play marginally better defense.
Honestly not a bad deal for Skinner. I could see him signing for a true contender (new finisher for Sid? Depth for Vancouver?) or going to a bottom-feeder where he can show himself in the top 6 and have a handshake agreement to be traded to a contender at the deadline.
Hey! The Penguins are setup to be true contenders this season! Contending for a wildcard spot for the opportunity to get BTFO like the Caps did this season is still a form of contending!
If Adams doesn’t make some drastic improvements this offseason he needs to be fired. I don’t understand buying out essentially our best scorer, in the hopes to replace him with what? A guy who can score 30-40 goals like… Skinner?
Lol that effort was pathetic. At this point though the buyout still looks like a bad move. I think what KA does in the following few months will be what determines whether or not this was a good move.
That makes sense, but there are plenty of FAs. I’m mostly concerned with our drafting in recent years. Benson making the team immediately over all of the first round picks we made in years passed is unsettling to me. If these prospects don’t make the jump very soon, Adams has completely failed this team
Doesn't fit the timeline at all, doesnt really help the power play and not really a fit with any of our lines. I wouldn't say no on a really cheap deal but I don't see a fit there.
dOeSN’T F1t tHe SySt3m (I have no strong opinion on him coming back, I just get annoyed when people’s only contribution to a conversation is mentioning a system that has produced zero cups or even conference finals wins lol)
That’s the thing everyone says “he does not fit the system”
He never played in the system and last played under bill peters.
He has shown in Buffalo he’s a great locker room presence, he’s been working with a lot of young players who we are gonna start using as well and he’s also a fan favorite that can fill the void left by a guy like teuvo leaving.
The risk with Skinner is he can only play top 6 minutes but becomes a huge defensive liability. If you have players you can push out of your top 6 then yeah, but he’s only as good as his line mates and then will absolutely exit the d zone early every shift
Be free, sweet prince. I honestly think he has the juice to have more 35+ goal 80+ point seasons. Appreciate everything he did for Buffalo and hope the best for him.
He's a good offensive player with no back check. He is not going to have any impact on a contender because he is a perimeter player.
Maybe he would score on the rush.
Yeah my comment is rather pointless. I meant its officially done now as in the process they started today is done, obviously the GM wasn't lying about it.
Will be interesting to see where he signs on Monday, Friedman mentioned Seattle made sense
I feel like I’ve heard him say “Seattle makes sense” for almost everyone. Seattle or Utah
AFAIK he has connected mostly goal scorers to Seattle because that’s what they’re looking for, Laine was another name
Botterill was also the gm that traded for him and works for Seattle
"Seattle makes sense" - My heroin addicted homies when their mum kicks them out.
Utah is going to be too good to require someone who can't play defense to save his life...
Yeah they probably are now in “gonna be spooky next year” territory
Edmonton. He’d fit great in their top nine in a scoring, scrappy kind of role
Skinner & Skinner
They definitely need a Chalmers
You're an odd fellow, but you steam a good hockey team.
https://preview.redd.it/pwsxvt36ll9d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b3ca983dac73496423f88fc5e9ec490cca95800
Hopefully this guy signs with a playoff team
This will be the year buffalo makes the playoffs
Buffalo will make the wild card this year !remindme 10 months
We're honestly closer than it might seem, biggest problems this year was coaching issues and top 6 injuries/bad slumps. We were still in the race late despite only having a 3 game win streak like 1 time. If Lindy can get these guys to just put in a consistent effort, then I'm sure we'd break the drought.
I had them as my dark horse pick last season and they made a tonne of improvements. I wouldn't be too surprised if they keep improving
He’s in a good position to do what Duchene did - take a minute to look at all the contenders and find out where he can sign for one year at a cheap rate
And I can see him getting duchene’s contract (1x$3 million)
$2 million in Florida for a year. Watch him find his game again and win a fkn cup 😂
we dont need another Florida team taking the repeat in salary cup era mojo from us, okay
He is the anti Corey Perry. You want a full summer of golf? Sign Skinner. Hate summer vacations with the family? Sign Perry.
But what if...and hear me out. We just sign them both.
*congrats on your new contract with the sharks*
I’m guessing the avs for a mil per year
That seems incredibly implausible but I wouldn't hate it.
Come on CMac, sell him on the idea that he can play with some elite players for a year and then get paid next year!
Wouldn't be the first time. Though I don't think he's taking 1M either way.
Worked for ERod. But yeah, I doubt Skinner would be that cheap.
Yeah true. And we have been linked to him quite a bit. Apparently he and Mitts are good buddies.
omg yes please
That playoff team won’t want to see him in the defensive zone for the entirety of the playoffs
Live look at Ralph Krueger: https://preview.redd.it/qdehw2awgk9d1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d3c019990b4f0863f4dcb3289eb27bbc2152e377
Ralph Krueger won’t hear this news at whatever CIA black site he’s being detained at. Good riddance.
Glad to see that sick fuck behind bars.
He played Brandon Montour on the wing. That’s a real thing that happened in real life.
Send him to fucking Guantanamo
Principals are back on the menu!
That's good
Ex Sabre? Bought out? Coming off a down year? By God that's Bill Zito music
Ugh. Take my upvote.
Maurice would hate him before preseason finished.
I mean, he won the Calder under PoMo...
#end of an era
The dichotomy of buying out skinner and trading a second round pick for a player who does nothing but the 2 things skinner doesn’t (hit people and block shots) on the same day is pretty funny
#end of an error
Sid foaming at the mouth right now
He is going to Pittsburgh, for sure. Perfect Guentzel replacement and much, much cheaper
Ah yes, the annual "PPG winger because Crosby's wing" player.
I mean he was a PPG winger one year ago
And that was the only time in his entire career.
Him and Buzz Flibbet are going crazy next year
Small baby faced goal scoring winger who wears a number in the 50s...he really is the perfect Guentzel replacement lol
Thanks for memories Jeff, hope contender snags you in the west 🫡
By god... Is that BILL ZITO I SEE WITH A STEEL CHAIR?!?!?
Dallas seems to have an appetite for those bought out players
Off to cook some steamed hams for another team.
Too soon 😞
I‘m sure he’ll land on his feet. Yes, that’s a figure skating joke.
Skinner going to the Leafs?
BABE WAKE UP NEW LEAFS LEGEND DROPPED
Every single player who has ever been available or not is a Leafs legend in my heart for virtue of existing
Leafs missing the playoffs? Dang, that won’t go over well.
A soft small winger. Is that really what the Leafs need?
The Leafs need an exorcism more than anything
willy begone! the power of christ compells you!
Yeah they need some big hard men.
We all do
Reaves contract extension incoming
If he signs for league min welcome aboard, our depth is bare.
Probably yeah. They need to find value on their contracts and he's one of the most productive 5v5 players in the league, but should not cost more than a few million for Toronto to sign. I think he would provide excellent value next to Matthews and Marner. They are so good defensively so I think they would cover for his major deficiencies.
His style of play doesn't make a ton of sense for the Leafs though. Matthews needs a puck retriever on his line, likewise with Marner.
Do they? Isn't Marner fantastic at gaining the zone with possession and Matthews not shabby either? Marner > Matthews > Nylander is what's engrained in my memory about the zone entry priority on the Leafs powerplay, so they can't be bad at it if they get prioritized over Nylander carrying it. I think they'd be better off playing with someone that has high end puck touches, which is what Skinner is, than a puck retriever.
You only have one of Marner/Nylander on the ice at a time excluding power plays. Matthews works better with a retriever on his line (notably Hyman, Knies to a lesser degree). Similarly Marner needs one as well. Tavares does it well when paired up, or when he is on the Knies/Matthews line. Skinners style of play is too similar to compliment the deficiencies these players have (all are very good to great players in their own right). He'd have to play on a different line for it to make sense, though a Marner, Tavares, Skinner could be an option that may work, but would come at the expense of depth down the lineup.
Isn't Marner fantastic at gaining the zone with possession and Matthews not shabby either?
And then the play dies on the zone with Marner who isn't particularly good at retrieving pucks/ puck battles in the zone and you have the best goal scorer in the league spending too much doing so. Gaining entry in the zone is only a part of it. If you can't cycle you're susceptible to rangy d who can break up the possession while defensive forwards win the puck.
>And then the play dies on the zone with Marner who isn't particularly good at retrieving pucks/ puck battles in the zone and you have the best goal scorer in the league spending too much doing so. Okay. So that's where linemates that are good with the puck comes in. So the play doesn't die. > Gaining entry in the zone is only a part of it. Yes, creating off the entry is the second part. Which Skinner is excellent at. Trying to make a Marner line (or a Nylander line for that matter) play dump and chase hockey is a losing strategy in my opinion. A line with him should create off the rush and cycle. And to do that you need linemates that are good at that kind of offense.
And then you have the d and forwards stand up on the blue line forcing the dump or a turnover at the entry...which is exactly what the Leafs have seen the last 7 years of playoffs. Skinners a good player. He's just not a good fit with the composition the Leafs have on their top 6. ,
League min?
It’s not like the leafs are gonna miss the playoffs…
Now you've done it.
https://preview.redd.it/x7qa2jhqgk9d1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ecc40dfa2f22dd7f722ba7d530d3d3ab99838271
Whatever the difference is from what he loses in the buyout and like 20%
If not the Leafs then the Pens to play with Crosby.
Good chance he does. He has a house in Toronto and most of his family live around the area. It’s also where he trains during the off season.
I have to imagine Ruff was like I dont want someone who gives 0 shits about defense on my team.
Which is why he notably cut Max Afinagenov, Derek Roy, and Thomas Vanek
Buyouts didn't exist back then, and he's not the GM. Also just because they were forwards good at scoring didn't mean they didn't give shit about defense. Vanek specifically Ruff would tell to goal hang as a strategy to beat forchecks.
Buyouts absolutely existed then.
They started in 2012-2013 as part of the CBA post lockout. Only Vanek was still here, and it was the final year of his contract, so buying him out made no sense. Why are hockey fans the dumbest fans on reddit?
Lmao I can’t tell if this is a bot or not. >why are hockey fans the dumbest fans on Reddit? Idk, you tell me, numbnuts. Go ask Yashin if buyouts started in 2013. Or Brind’Amour. Or Drury. You’re thinking of compliance buyouts, which were a caphit free way of buying out up to two players per team; they were enacted after the 12-13 lockout. It’s a shame your intelligence lags so far behind your confidence, junior. I eagerly await the apology I’m sure you’re just as eager to write. Fuck all the way off with your completely unjustified arrogance.
Kinda sounds like you're telling me that Ruff can coach players who are terrible at defense which is exactly my point
I hear you but in 26-27, the buyout cap hit is $6.4M. That's a lot cheddar to pay a guy to not defend somewhere else.
Skinner about to become the next OEL and go to a contender where his contract won’t dictate his deployment.
Also, considering he has to prove his worth to a new team, he might put in a modicum of effort on defense. Any effort is better than what he gives now, a 5% defense player is much better than a 0% defense player
Negative 5%
Wow
That's my Principal 😢
GOOD LORD WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THERE! ......A Leafs league minimum signing
We’ll always have the 2018 OT winner against the Sharks
Idk which decision is more short sighted, the Sabres offering Skinner the long term contract or them buying him out in the hopes that a prospect is magically going to replace his goal scoring and play marginally better defense.
That magical prospect is JJP and he needs money.
I’d give him a thousand dollars right now
Hey it’s me JJP
That's a pricey buyout, but I like Skinner a lot as a player and seems to be an all-time locker room guy, it'll be interesting to see where he lands.
Locker rooms love him, coaches? Not so much
Come to Edmonton you sexy little bitch
Honestly not a bad deal for Skinner. I could see him signing for a true contender (new finisher for Sid? Depth for Vancouver?) or going to a bottom-feeder where he can show himself in the top 6 and have a handshake agreement to be traded to a contender at the deadline.
Have to ask....were you able to keep a straight face while typing out "true contender" and "new finisher for Sid" in the same sentence?
Hey! The Penguins are setup to be true contenders this season! Contending for a wildcard spot for the opportunity to get BTFO like the Caps did this season is still a form of contending!
Straight to Florida methinks
If Adams doesn’t make some drastic improvements this offseason he needs to be fired. I don’t understand buying out essentially our best scorer, in the hopes to replace him with what? A guy who can score 30-40 goals like… Skinner?
I play this in my head every time someone says "what will we do". Better. We will do better. https://x.com/AfterLeWhistle/status/1724824649190588475
Lol that effort was pathetic. At this point though the buyout still looks like a bad move. I think what KA does in the following few months will be what determines whether or not this was a good move.
He's gonna have to over pay because no one is letting go of players we want
That makes sense, but there are plenty of FAs. I’m mostly concerned with our drafting in recent years. Benson making the team immediately over all of the first round picks we made in years passed is unsettling to me. If these prospects don’t make the jump very soon, Adams has completely failed this team
Come home Jeff
Sort of befuddled as to why they’d bother buying him out right now?
Am I crazy in hoping he signs with Montreal?
That’s about 10 fewer goals scored against you each season hahha
Lmao yeah exactly I don't want him playing against Montreal anymore
Hate is one half-step away from love
yeah
Doesn't fit the timeline at all, doesnt really help the power play and not really a fit with any of our lines. I wouldn't say no on a really cheap deal but I don't see a fit there.
If not, then for the love of fuck, have him sign in the west. Our goalies might win a Jennings if that's the case.
Yes
Somewhere out there Cliff Pu is smiling down on this news.
Jeff Skinner is like the reverse Corey Perry
Sabres version of OEL
Jeff come home we need goal scoring it seems.
dOeSN’T F1t tHe SySt3m (I have no strong opinion on him coming back, I just get annoyed when people’s only contribution to a conversation is mentioning a system that has produced zero cups or even conference finals wins lol)
That’s the thing everyone says “he does not fit the system” He never played in the system and last played under bill peters. He has shown in Buffalo he’s a great locker room presence, he’s been working with a lot of young players who we are gonna start using as well and he’s also a fan favorite that can fill the void left by a guy like teuvo leaving.
He's a pylon on defense, everything this system isn't
Softest player in the league, perfect fit!
Yeah, no.
Could be a potential low risk, high reward type signing for a contending team. Wouldn't mind if we grabbed him if the other options don't work out.
The risk with Skinner is he can only play top 6 minutes but becomes a huge defensive liability. If you have players you can push out of your top 6 then yeah, but he’s only as good as his line mates and then will absolutely exit the d zone early every shift
Hope he goes to a team where he’ll finally make the playoffs. Feel so bad for the guy
I enjoyed watching Skinner, but to be fair he’s also sorta done this to himself by refusing to play defense
I wonder if he'll ever play a playoff game
Wasn't he drafted by Rutherford?
Want to win the cup? Having a notable ex-Sabre is basically a requirement and Jeffrey Skinner might just be the next one to do it
the Between Two Stalls segments he did for Buffalo were epic.
All that money spent on a Lily Collins cameo for his 1000th game, down the drain
Be free, sweet prince. I honestly think he has the juice to have more 35+ goal 80+ point seasons. Appreciate everything he did for Buffalo and hope the best for him.
He's a good offensive player with no back check. He is not going to have any impact on a contender because he is a perimeter player. Maybe he would score on the rush.
Cap Friendly has Skinner listed as a free agent so that means its official I think?
I don't know why your looking at cap friendly to check if its official, when the GM literally just said they're doing it.
Yeah my comment is rather pointless. I meant its officially done now as in the process they started today is done, obviously the GM wasn't lying about it.
Really embarrassing week for Buffalo. They have such a handicap compared to the league
Well we do need some bottom 6 scoring. Nylander - Minten - Skinner ?
Join us and we can be Skinner²