"Tried the playoffs once and hated it" "Anything to hit cap floor": NHL fans react as Jeff Skinner signs $3M with SJ Sharks

The San Jose Sharks agreed to terms with forward Jeff Skinner, insider David Pagnotta reported on Friday.

The former Edmonton Oilers star agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Sharks. The signing raised a few eyebrows among NHL fans, with some poking fun at Jeff Skinner’s chosen club.

Meanwhile, other fans questioned the Sharks’ motives for signing Jeff Skinner, hinting at their true intentions.

Jeff Skinner will be playing for his third team in three seasons. He played for the Buffalo Sabres in 2023-24, scoring 24 goals in 74 games. The forward moved on to the Edmonton Oilers this past season, tallying 16 goals and 29 points.

Now, Skinner will be taking his skill set to San Jose, where the Sharks will be looking to escape the NHL cellar.

Jeff Skinner to slide into the San Jose Sharks' middle six

The Sharks added the veteran Skinner as a low-cost, high-reward proposition. The Sharks' lineup boasts a solid but young top line featuring William Eklund, Macklin Celebrini, and Will Smith, according to Daily Faceoff.

So, Skinner’s playing spot could be in the middle six. Daily Faceoff shows the Sharks' second line consisting of Alex Wennberg, Tyler Toffoli, and newly-acquired Philipp Kurashev. The third line shows Ty Dellandrea centering Colin Graf and newcomer Adam Gaudette.

It’s the third line where Skinner could find his initial role. Graf has shown to be a good option for the Sharks. However, a healthy and productive Skinner could be considered an upgrade over Graf. That’s why sliding Skinner into the third-line left wing spot could make sense for the Sharks.

But if Skinner truly thrives this upcoming season, there could be a role for him on the second line. Perhaps sliding Toffoli over from the left to the right side could be a good way of accommodating both veteran goal scorers into the second line.

Ultimately, Jeff Skinner gives the Sharks options as they look to complement their up-and-coming core with proven veterans to lead the team’s turnaround this upcoming season.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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