Has Jack found 1 of his long term solutions at wing, Jeff Skinner

[Scottysabres]

Early season indications are Jeff Skinner, who will be 27 next May, is making a very strong case to be Jack's LW'er for the next 7 seasons after this one.

He's strong in the hockey motor, speed, soft hand skills, sniper and puck control categories. He appears to be gelling with Jack very nicely.

So I put a poll up to gauge where peoples early thoughts are on him, re-sign or deadline trade him.

Re-signing him presents real intriguing situations since we have a plethora of RW'ers throughout the organization pipeline. If we go this route, would we have to move Okposo, especially given all the young talent in the pipeline?

Personally, early on, I say re-sign, 7 x 7. I cannot believe we got this guy for the value we gave.

[Marions Piazza]

15 minutes ago, Scottysabres said:

Early season indications are Jeff Skinner, who will be 27 next May, is making a very strong case to be Jack's LW'er for the next 7 seasons after this one.

He's strong in the hockey motor, speed, soft hand skills, sniper and puck control categories. He appears to be gelling with Jack very nicely.

So I put a poll up to gauge where peoples early thoughts are on him, re-sign or deadline trade him.

Re-signing him presents real intriguing situations since we have a plethora of RW'ers throughout the organization pipeline. If we go this route, would we have to move Okposo, especially given all the young talent in the pipeline?

Personally, early on, I say re-sign, 7 x 7. I cannot believe we got this guy for the value we gave.

I am hoping the flood gates have really opened for those two together.  It'll be tought to get Skinner at $7M/yr if he keeps up this scoring.  THe last few games have me all giddy about the possibility of them together a long time

[bob_sauve28]

I think he is great. Would love to sign him, but you know the Rangers are having back channel conversations offering him heaven and earth. This kind of sucks. If he won't sign, you have to take what you can get from a contender and move on. 

[inkman]

If this somehow resurrects Pominville's career for a season or two as well it's just all gravy. 

[Gatorman0519]

Skinner loves playing with Eichel. NYR don’t have anyone dynamic like that.

[sabills]

I voted to resign him, but its really to early to tell. If we're back-to-middle of the pack you trade him, but if its trade deadline month and you're pushing for  playoff spot you've got to keep him even if it means losing him for nothing at the end of the year.

1 minute ago, Gatorman0519 said:

Skinner loves playing with Eichel. NYR don’t have anyone dynamic like that.

I do actually think this is a real thing. Skinner is finally getting to play with someone on his own level, he might not be willing to abandon that just for more money. He also might.

[GASabresIUFAN]

How about we give this relationship at least a quarter of the season before we spend the money.  Last time we spent big money on an UFA winger we got KO'd by KO.  I also don't like paying guys until they are 34.  to many bad things happen.  Also we have guys coming who may fill that role.  

[darksabre]

I'm not ready to answer one way or another, but I think if the chemistry and production with Eichel continues you basically have no choice but to re-sign him.

There is one question mark though, and it's his age. Skinner is 26. How long do we think his wheel hang around?

I guess you're probably looking at a 6 year deal for him? Maybe at $7-$8 mil per? 

[inkman]

6 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

How about we give this relationship at least a quarter of the season before we spend the money.  Last time we spent big money on an UFA winger we got KO'd by KO.  I also don't like paying guys until they are 34.  to many bad things happen.  Also we have guys coming who may fill that role.  

Well the thread and poll isn't titled "Re-sign Skinner today"

[GASabresIUFAN]

Just now, inkman said:

Well the thread and poll isn't titled "Re-sign Skinner today"

Actually it kind of is.  The only 2 options are re-sign or trade him at the deadline.  How about a wait and see option?

[mphs mike]

I think it is far too early to tell, but I like what I've seen.

Hasn't Skinner been a streaky scorer throughout his career? If so, this may simply be an intoxicating streak.  

[nfreeman]

I am encouraged by the absence of posts so far declaring that "the Sabres should sign him for 4 years x $5MM [or other nonsensical way-below-market number]."

Skinner is going to cost at least as much as Kane got -- 7 years x $7MM.

Skinner is better than Kane.  He is better than Vanek.  He is better than Reinhart.  He is both really quick and really fast, he has great hands and he can score in a variety of ways.  And he plays with passion.

He just turned 26.  If they give him a 7-year deal, he will probably be their 2nd-best forward for at least 5 years.

This is their opportunity to lock in a top-end winger for the bulk of Eichel's prime -- and thus a legit, high-end top line that is freaking dangerous on every shift.

I don't think JBott is going to let him go.

[North Buffalo]

3 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

I am encouraged by the absence of posts so far declaring that "the Sabres should sign him for 4 years x $5MM [or other nonsensical way-below-market number]."

Skinner is going to cost at least as much as Kane got -- 7 years x $7MM.

Skinner is better than Kane.  He is better than Vanek.  He is better than Reinhart.  He is both really quick and really fast, he has great hands and he can score in a variety of ways.  And he plays with passion.

He just turned 26.  If they give him a 7-year deal, he will probably be their 2nd-best forward for at least 5 years.

This is their opportunity to lock in a top-end winger for the bulk of Eichel's prime -- and thus a legit, high-end top line that is freaking dangerous on every shift.

I don't think JBott is going to let him go.

Jury is still out but love the fact that Skinner sending credit Jack’s way... that is the way to treat a teamate.  Deflect attention away from yourself and praise your help.... Love Skinner’s skill and energy just hope for consistency.  Like that Pommer seams to be a calming influence on both and even he knows he needs to skate with some jump.  Can’t wait til Pommer starts blistering some of those passes off the wing.  

Edited October 22, 2018 by North Buffalo

[bob_sauve28]

2 minutes ago, North Buffalo said:

Juru is still out but love the fact that Skinner sending credit Jack’s way... that is the way to treat a teamate.  Deflect attention away from yourself and praise your help.... 

They were just dangerous every time on the ice together. Sort of reminded me of LaFontain-Mogilney 

[LGR4GM]

I wouldn't sign skinner to more than 5 years. Unless we like have 31 year olds with 3-4 years left on deals that are not living up to them. 

[darksabre]

Just now, LGR4GM said:

I wouldn't sign skinner to more than 5 years. Unless we like have 31 year olds with 3-4 years left on deals that are not living up to them. 

It's kind of the way of the NHL though. You just sorta have to do it in order to lock good players up. Everyone is giving out deals like that. 

[LGR4GM]

18 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

How about we give this relationship at least a quarter of the season before we spend the money.  Last time we spent big money on an UFA winger we got KO'd by KO.  I also don't like paying guys until they are 34.  to many bad things happen.  Also we have guys coming who may fill that role.  

I agree. If they are still on fire by the end of December, I will be interested in signing him. 

[North Buffalo]

Just now, LGR4GM said:

I wouldn't sign skinner to more than 5 years. Unless we like have 31 year olds with 3-4 years left on deals that are not living up to them. 

Depends on the rate, if it takes 7 years but 7 per year it might work... Definitely something to consider 

[LGR4GM]

Just now, darksabre said:

It's kind of the way of the NHL though. You just sorta have to do it in order to lock good players up. Everyone is giving out deals like that. 

And who has that worked out for? I am specifically thinking of Chicago. I would also point out, that Pittsburgh does not do that. They cut guys lose and replace them. 

[nfreeman]

9 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

I wouldn't sign skinner to more than 5 years. Unless we like have 31 year olds with 3-4 years left on deals that are not living up to them. 

Then you're not getting him.  Is that the outcome you want?

[darksabre]

9 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

And who has that worked out for? I am specifically thinking of Chicago. I would also point out, that Pittsburgh does not do that. They cut guys lose and replace them. 

Pittsburgh doesn't cut their most important players loose. 

[LGR4GM]

1 minute ago, darksabre said:

Pittsburgh doesn't cut their most important players loose. 

They cut wingers. James Neal isn't there anymore. They keep their core. Is Skinner part of the core? 

I want to keep Skinner, but I don't want him here if it costs me 7 years. We've seen too many guys decline once they hit 30 or 31 to want that. Maybe Skinner will be different, if he is then I can re-sign him at 31 for another 3-4 years. 

[That Aud Smell]

23 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

He is better than Vanek. 

[bob_sauve28]

2 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

They cut wingers. James Neal isn't there anymore. They keep their core. Is Skinner part of the core? 

I want to keep Skinner, but I don't want him here if it costs me 7 years. We've seen too many guys decline once they hit 30 or 31 to want that. Maybe Skinner will be different, if he is then I can re-sign him at 31 for another 3-4 years. 

So if he wants a seven year deal, I say no way. The last two games we played it seemed like they were old teams that could not keep up with our young legs. 

[darksabre]

3 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

They cut wingers. James Neal isn't there anymore. They keep their core. Is Skinner part of the core? 

I want to keep Skinner, but I don't want him here if it costs me 7 years. We've seen too many guys decline once they hit 30 or 31 to want that. Maybe Skinner will be different, if he is then I can re-sign him at 31 for another 3-4 years. 

James Neal is a bad example though, isn't he? They traded the guy a few years after they signed him to a very reasonable 6 year deal (at 25) and he has continued to produce. If anything they should have kept Neal.