Blackhawks look to acquire one of the highest paid NHL forwards
The Blackhawks have a massive amount of salary cap space, with $30 Million available. With the Blackhawks needing veteran talent to fill out the roster, they could afford to help out the Buffalo Sabres.
During the 2017-2018 season, Jeff Skinner performed above expectations, notching 40 goals with the Carolina Hurricanes, resulting in an overpayment for unsustainable production.
While regressing he still has had two 30-goal seasons in the last three years with the Buffalo Sabres, after missing a chunk of time, with the shortened seasons and seasons impacted by division change, as a result of the pandemic.
But does the $9 Million dollar salary cap hit make sense for the Sabres to keep? No.
A Tale Of Two Teams
The Sabres and Blackhawks are developing differently, as the Blackhawks need to hit the cap floor. The Buffalo Sabres have young and upcoming prospects to re-sign in the future and need the space for players like Bowen Byram and Zach Benson.
It would make sense for the Blackhawks to add Skinner because they need another top-6 winger, and they need more leadership for the younger players on the team as well.
With the Blackhawks' priority to hit the cap floor, Skinner could be convinced to move to Chicago to play with Connor Bedard. Skinner, like many players in the NHL, has a NMC and Davidson could sell him on that, all the while fitting in his cap hit with $33 Million to work with.
Skinner would be a perfect fit on the 2nd line, or top line should the need arise. Placing Skinner with Nazar and Reichel could make the Blackhawks a legitimate threat in the Central Division, as he's not a washed-up player.
What could the Sabres hope for in return? They could get a 2nd round pick and a mid-tier prospect like Aiden Thompson according to Blackhawk Up.
Skinner could be another stabilizing force on a growing, young team, not to mention his Between 2 Stalls segments are hilarious.
| POLL | ||
Should the Blackhawks make a deal for Jeff Skinner? | ||
| Yes | 217 | 40.5 % |
| No | 319 | 59.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
