In a bold move this offseason, the Edmonton Oilers have added a seasoned scorer to their roster by signing forward Jeff Skinner to a one-year, $3 million contract. This signing comes on the heels of Skinner's buyout from the Buffalo Sabres, providing the Oilers with an opportunity to add proven offensive talent as they look to push for a Stanley Cup.
Skinner's Journey to Edmonton
Jeff Skinner, a player renowned for his goal-scoring capabilities, is set to bring a wealth of experience to the Oilers. Skinner's career includes a noteworthy stint with the Buffalo Sabres, where he initially signed an eight-year deal at $9 million annually. During the first year of that contract, Skinner delivered an impressive 40-goal season, showcasing his knack for finding the back of the net.
However, Skinner's performance was inconsistent in the years following, scoring 21 goals and accumulating 35 points over 112 games between 2019 and 2021. The 2021-22 season saw a resurgence, with Skinner tallying 30 goals and 63 points. He continued to excel in the 2022-23 season, registering 35 goals and a career-high 82 points. Most recently, Skinner scored 24 goals and 46 points, solidifying his reputation as a reliable scorer.
Oilers' Offseason Moves
The Edmonton Oilers, who came within a win of clinching the Stanley Cup last season, have been active in the offseason, making strategic moves to bolster their roster. To accommodate Skinner's addition, the Oilers opted to buy out the final three years of goaltender Jack Campbell's contract, which carried a $5 million annual cap hit. This decision created the necessary cap space to sign Skinner and address other team needs.
In addition to Skinner, the Oilers re-signed forwards Connor Brown and Corey Perry to one-year deals collectively worth $2.15 million. The team also secured Viktor Arvidsson on a two-year deal with an annual value of $4 million and signed defenseman Josh Brown for three years at $1 million per year. However, the Oilers saw Warren Foegele move on, as he inked a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings.
Cap Space and Future Considerations
Entering the new season, the Oilers' cap space is tight, with less than $1.35 million available. This creates a potential challenge as they still need to negotiate new deals with restricted free agents Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. The tight cap situation underscores the importance of careful management and strategic signings, a task the Oilers front office appears to have handled adeptly thus far.
Skinner's Potential Impact
By adding Skinner, the Oilers hope to inject additional scoring depth into their lineup. Skinner's track record, which includes six 20-goal seasons and three 30-goal seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, demonstrates his ability to be a consistent offensive threat. His experience and goal-scoring prowess will be valuable assets as the Oilers aim to build on their recent success and make a strong push for the Stanley Cup, which has eluded them since 1990.
The signing of Skinner, coupled with other strategic moves, reflects the Oilers' commitment to assembling a competitive and balanced roster. Edmonton fans will be eager to see how these new additions, particularly Skinner, integrate into the team's dynamic and contribute to their Stanley Cup aspirations in the upcoming season.