On top of adding Viktor Ardvisson, the Edmonton Oilers have also signed forward Jeff Skinner to a 1-year, $3 million contract.
The Player
Jeff Skinner was recently bought out of his 8-year, $72 million contract he signed with the Buffalo Sabres in 2019. He had 3-years left on that deal with an AAV of $9 million. He has played 1006 regular season games in the NHL, scoring 357 goals, 313 assists, for 670 points. In 14 years in the league, Skinner has one 40-goal season, six 30 goal seasons, and ten 20-goal seasons under his belt. The bottom line, Skinner can put the puck in the net. However, the former Carolina Hurricanes first-round pick is going to Edmonton, looking to make the playoffs for the first time in his career.
The Fit
Jeff Skinner is a goal scorer. Skinner can play both wings and can move up and down the lineup. He can play on the top line with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman, pushing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins down the lineup. He can also play on the 2nd line alongside Leon Draisaitl and newest Oiler, Viktor Arvidsson. Or, he can add a much needed offensive punch to the third line. This move gives the Oilers a lot of flexibility. They can move different players around. This is a great signing, and provides the Oilers with incredible depth without needing to overpay the player. Edmonton is becoming a destination where free agents want to play here and win.
The Contract
At one year, $3 million, this is a really good value contract for the 6-time 30 goal scorer. Since he is still getting paid by the Sabres, he can afford to take a team-friendly deal, if it means being on a Stanley Cup contender.
Looking Ahead
The Edmonton Oilers had a great first day in free agency. Not only did they bring in Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner, but they also resigned Connor Brown, Corey Perry, Mattias Janmark, and Adam Henrique. The Oilers are currently paying Skinner, Arvidsson, and Henrique a combined total of $10 million this season. That is some tidy work by acting General Manager, Jeff Jackson. However, the Oilers still have to resign RFA’s Dylan Hollaway, and Philip Broberg. According to Puckpedia, they are currently $2.4 million over the salary cap. This means that a trade is imminent in order to shed some salary and be cap compliant.
With these new acquisitions, the Oilers opening night forward lineup could look something like this:
| NUGENT-HOPKINS | MCDAVID | HYMAN |
| HOLLOWAY | DRAISAITL | ARVIDSSON |
| KANE* | HENRIQUE | SKINNER |
| JANMARK | MCLEOD | BROWN |
| RYAN | PERRY |
This is arguably the best forward group the Oilers have had in decades. What other moves will the Oilers make before the start of the season?
Keep checking Area 51 Sports Network for more NHL, and Oilers news throughout the offseason. We are only a few short months away from the start of the 2024-2025 season.
