3 Potential Trade Destinations for Sharks' Jeff Skinner This Season

The San Jose Sharks are not going to be in contention for the playoffs this season. They have a very shallow forward group, a young goalie who has lots to still learn in the NHL and can't carry the team just yet, and a makeshift defense that will be broken up by mid-season. With that being said, the team did sign some players on short-term deals to get some value out of them at the trade deadline and to reach the salary cap floor. Jeff Skinner is one of them and there's a solid chance he's traded this season.

Skinner is on a one-year, $3 million AAV deal and didn't play to the level he has in recent memory with the Edmonton Oilers last season as he just didn't fit in or was given the proper opportunity. He should play middle-six minutes on the Sharks and get more playing time as the bottom-6 is very weak. If he can bounce back, there will be teams calling at the trade deadline.

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings will likely be in a similar position as they were last season, right around a playoff spot near the trade deadline, but not secure enough to really add a big piece. The team has been right on the cusp of making it back to the playoffs for a couple of seasons now, but haven't been rewarded at the trade deadline. GM Steve Yzerman is either on the hot seat already or will be if the Red Wings miss the playoffs again. There may be good young talent coming, but that doesn't help them in the present. A smaller addition, one like Skinner, could give the team a little motivation while being an upgrade to someone like Elmer Soderblom. Detroit needed more from this offseason, but didn't get it. The team has more than enough cap space to grab Skinner and more.

Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche made a late offseason addition in Victor Olofsson and I'm not sure if the team is officially done adding yet. If they aren't, the team should be fine until later in the season when there will need to be upgrades. Skinner is the type of bottom-6 scorer that the Avalanche could really use to provide offensive production from below the top-6. Skinner won't cost a ton unless he really pops off in San Jose. He would be able to produce more than Ivan Ivan, Parker Kelly, or the untested young players who should see some opportunities this season.

New York Rangers

I am very confident that the New York Rangers will be a much better team this season after the 2024-25 mess. There are plenty of inexperienced players ready to step in and get opportunities, but some of them may not be everyday players and some may spend the majority of the season in the AHL. When the Rangers are firmly in a playoff spot and they are looking to bolster the forward group with experience, Skinner will be sitting there and be able to provide that, despite the lack of playoff experience.