Jeff Skinner, the 33‑year‑old forward who spent six seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, has announced his move to Switzerland, signing a one‑year contract with EHC Biel of the Swiss Hockey League. The agreement, first reported by The Buffalo News, includes a $6.4 million salary‑cap charge for the Sabres in the upcoming season, a figure that will be absorbed over the next six years as the team pays two‑thirds of his remaining salary.
A New Chapter in Switzerland
Skinner’s NHL journey began with the Carolina Hurricanes before he was traded to the Sabres, where he blossomed into a consistent offensive threat. He recorded a career‑high 82 points in the 2022‑23 campaign and had previously posted three 30‑plus goal seasons, including a 40‑goal year in 2018‑19. After a stint with the San Jose Sharks in which he appeared in 32 games and tallied six goals and 13 points, he contributed five games to the Edmonton Oilers’ 2023‑24 playoff run before signing with Biel.
The Sabres have used the off‑season to reinforce their hockey operations, appointing David Warsofsky as defense development coach to replace Zach Redmond, naming Jack McNaughton as goalie scout and emergency netminder, and hiring Chris Knieste as a data engineer, Eric Weissman as director of college recruiting, and Ariel Amaral as a data scientist. These additions aim to bring fresh analytical perspectives and developmental expertise to the organization.
Financially, the Sabres will count $2.4 million against their salary cap in each of the 2027‑28, 2028‑29 and 2029‑30 seasons as part of the buyout arrangement, while the remaining $6.4 million will be spread across the next six years. This structure reflects the team’s strategy to manage cap space while honoring the commitments made to Skinner.
Skinner’s departure marks the end of a tenure that saw him become one of the Sabres’ most reliable scorers, contributing 379 goals and 712 points in 1,110 NHL games. His move to Switzerland not only continues his professional career but also illustrates the growing appeal of European leagues for seasoned NHL talent. The Sabres, meanwhile, look to blend veteran experience with new staff to rebuild competitiveness in the Atlantic Division.