Rumor: 3 teams interested in Buffalo's Skinner

According to The Athletic's Ryan Stimson, there are 3 teams that are interested in Buffalo Sabres' Jeff Skinner who will be a unrestricted free agent this July if the Sabres do not sign him before.


According to the report, the Sabres and Skinner have reached an impasse during contract talks. The Buffalo Sabres have the option to trade him, but due to his no movement clause, that could be really improbable unless Skinner accepts a trade.

Stimson suggested that there are currently 3 teams that could be the front runners for Skinner's rights for the remainder of the season. He suggested that the Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in acquiring Jeff Skinner for the rest of the season.

Stimson stated that the Buffalo Sabres and the Nashville Predators could exchange pending unrestricted free agents, the one for Nashville being Kevin Fiala as a piece in the trade. With the Predators have a struggle to find a consistent Top 6 Forward due to the organization's constant injuries this year.

Stimson continued by stating that the Columbus Blue Jackets could be fitter for the 26 year old. With goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin being pending UFAs this season and with the uncertainty of them re-signing in Columbus are close to nil. But if Columbus pulls a fast one and re-signs both, they could go in and trade for Skinner. Sabres reportedly have interest in Columbus' Oliver Bjorkstrand and a high draft selection. With Columbus not having a 2nd round selection, they could be uncomfortable with trading away their 1st round pick.

Stimson finished with the final trade destination with that being Toronto could be something interesting with both teams being rivalries. The Maple Leafs will have enough cap space at the deadline, so they could be looking forward to acquire a Top 6 Forward. Since the Maple Leafs have enough defencemen for their future, they could be looking to trade Timothy Liljegren, Rasmus Sandin or even Travis Dermott with maybe a selection at the upcoming draft for Skinner.

Although these are unlikely trade destinations, it will be interesting to see if the Buffalo Sabres will be able to re-sign the 26-year old, or if Skinner will waive his no trade clause so he could be traded elsewhere. What do you see the Buffalo Sabres doing with Skinner before he becomes an unrestricted free agent?