The Sabres bought out Jeff Skinner last summer and the timing couldn't have been better. No, not because Skinner was going downhill as a player, but because the Blue and Gold also stopped using individual goal songs, and Skinner had the best ones.
So I guess I was never going to hear Kagerou by Babymetal (which would've been an awesome goal song) blaring off the loudspeakers of KeyBank Center. Still, it was strange to see Skinner playing against the Sabres in an Oilers uniform last season, even if it was good to see him make a well-deserved playoff run.
This year? Skinner can plan on reverting to his old, 82-game self if everything remains as-is throughout the wild and wonderful 2025-26 season. But I highly doubt he sticks around San Jose for long.
Nah, Skinner should be a great mentor for Michael Misa, Macklin Celebrini, and Company while donning one of the most underrated uniforms in the game today. But he'll also make an excellent depth player after the trade deadline.
This means I see general manager and former Sabre Mike Grier moving Skinner at some point before the deadline, where he'll wind up with a contender. Let's just hope it's not a Sabres rival.
Jeff Skinner will add two more sweaters to his wardrobe when it's said and done
Right now, Skinner's got jerseys from his old days with the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, and now, Edmonton Oilers. He'll keep some around from his days in San Jose, California, before he's moved elsewhere at some point.
Maybe his career will make a full circle and he'll end back up in Raleigh as a lower liner? If that's the case, then disregard the assumption he'll get a fifth sweater. Or, maybe the Sabres will shock everyone in the hockey world and Kevyn Adams - who would've outsmarted the entire league - brings him back and he throws a late-round pick to San Jose?
Who knows? But the likeliest scenario is that he'll end up with the Florida Panthers. No, Skinner's not the player he was, but there were multiple times when he proved he could play. And that's what'll likely entice general manager Bill Zito to acquire Skinner.
Because why wouldn't you want someone with experience and production on their resume, and a player who's just two seasons removed from a magical 35-goal season? Yeah, that's why it wouldn't surprise me one iota if he ended up in Sunrise and hoisted a Stanley Cup.
Skinner will once again be fun to watch even as his ice time dwindles
I don't expect Skinner to overtake players like Will Smith, William Eklund, Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa, and other youngsters. Nope, he'll be just fine in a third or fourth-line role, averaging no more than 13:30 per game.
And it'll be the same when he's playing elsewhere in March, April, May, and maybe even into June. Still, he'll be fun to watch and he'll wow us with a few goals, still showing flashes that he's capable of producing like the player he was while in Buffalo.
That's why I'll tune into a few Sharks games this season, and not just when they're facing off with the Sabres.
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