With a full no-trade clause, Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jeff Skinner was
sitting pretty in the driver's seat, able to choose his next NHL team. Though
he'd hit the 30-goal mark three times, the young winger had fallen out of favor
 with 'Canes general manager Don Waddell. He had one year remaining on his
contract with a cap hit of $5.725 million.

When given the chance to leave, the 26-year-old, former Calder winner,
three-time 30-goal scorer chose to go to the last-place Buffalo Sabres. The
team that missed the playoffs for the seventh straight year. The team that had
the worst goal differential in the league. The only team that failed to score
200 goals last year. None of that concerned him too much. Instead, Skinner saw
a bright future.

We'll see you soon, @JeffSkinner.

Get to know the newest Sabre: https://t.co/MIxUDfpC2n
pic.twitter.com/0TtQEYaJsh

- Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) August 3, 2018

Skinner, a Toronto native, gave a thumbs-up to the trade. The Sabres acquired
his services in exchange for Cliff Pu, a 2019 second-round pick and third- and
sixth-round picks in 2020.Excited to Join the Sabres

During Skinner's conference call with Buffalo media on Friday, he was quick to
mention the Sabres' young core. He mentioned his new teammates Jack Eichel,
Rasmus Dahlin, Casey Mittelstadt, Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen. "The
young group of players they have, the young core is exciting," said Skinner.
"I'm excited to join those guys and be a piece of the puzzle."

Skinner sounded very excited to join Eichel. Though he doesn't know him
personally, Skinner has heard a lot about him from Hurricanes defenseman, Noah
Hanifin. It'd be surprising if Eichel and Skinner don't start the season on the
 same line together. Conor Sheary had been projected as Eichel's left winger up
 until the trade.Skinner is looking forward to playing alongside Eichel. (Amy
Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

"He's obviously one of the top centermen in the game right now," said Skinner
of Eichel. "I'm so happy to be on his team instead of against him."

Even if Skinner doesn't start on Eichel's line, he'll likely be centered by
rookie Casey Mittelstadt. Both are significant upgrades over Skinner's main
centermen in Carolina, Victor Rask and Derek Ryan. He was still able to put up
24 and 37 goals over the last two seasons.A Fresh Start in Buffalo

The only team with a longer playoff drought than the Sabres is the Hurricanes.
They've missed the postseason nine straight seasons. The organization is in a
complete overhaul mode and Skinner';s name has been swirling in trade rumors
for a while.

Skinner was told about the proposed deal via phone call Thursday morning.
Before green-lighting the transaction, he did some quick homework, chatting
with some players to get the inside scoop on what it's like to play for the
Sabres. "I heard a lot of positive things about the city," he said. "A lot of
positive things about the ownership group, the management group, and the fans."

He was all in.

He thanked his agent and the Hurricane front office for getting a deal done.
Now, he's looking ahead. "It's going to be a fresh start," said Skinner, who
has only played for the Hurricanes. "It's going to be my first time going to a
new organization and meeting all the new staff and a bunch of new teammates.
It's certainly something I'm looking forward to."Botterill Keeping His Promises

Sabres general manager Jason Botterill has stayed true to his stern words and
steaming anger from his end-of-season press conference. Since the season ended,
 he's turned over the roster, desperately trying to infuse some new life and
energy.Botterill promised change and has followed up his words. (Photo by Bruce
 Bennett/Getty Images)

Sheary is a nice acquisition, but Skinner instantly becomes the best
left-winger on the Sabres roster. The fact that Botterill landed him without
giving up a player that's skated a single shift in the NHL is wildly
impressive. Most thought the Sabres would have to part with at least one of
their first-round picks over the next two years.

Now, instead of waiting and hoping for players to develop, such as Nicholas
Baptiste, Alex Nylander or Justin Bailey, the Sabres have one in hand. And he's
 an instant upgrade.Having Goals and Scoring Them

The Sabre anemic offense cost them far too many games last season. They had the
 third worst record in one-goal games. And have been among the league's lowest
scoring teams at even strength the past few seasons (better than only the
Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights).

"The NHL now is so tight," Skinner said. "I think there's so much parity. So
many games are decided by one goal."

Botterill has high hopes that Skinner can help the Sabres be on the winning
side of these contests. "What gets me excited as a general manager is we're at
least giving our coach options to put out lines that are going to hopefully
contribute offensively," said Botterill during a conference call.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils and Colorado
Avalanche all made the jump from basement dwellers in the standings to the
playoffs the following year. If Botterill has his wish, his team will follow in
 their footsteps.Related - 2018-19 Buffalo Sabres: The Best of Times & The
Worst of TimesSkinner Sticking Around?

Skinner's deal goes through the end of the 2018-19 season at $6 million
annually. After that, he'll become an unrestricted free agent. If he puts up
decent numbers this season, his next contract will rise accordingly. His
production is in line with $7 million deals that were recently signed by James
van Riemsdyk and Evander Kane.

Skinner isn';t rushing into signing a new contract; his immediate focus is to
prepare the season that's on the horizon. "I haven't really thought about it,"
Skinner said. "Honestly, I';m just excited to start the season. That's where my
 focus is and where it's going to be for the next little while."

"Our focus with Jeff is to make this transition into Buffalo as easy as
possible for him," said Botterill, "for him to get settled in, focused in on
the start of the season, go through the process here for him to get to know his
 teammates, get to know Phil (Housley), get to know myself, and we'll talk
about things such as extensions or contract down the road."Housley has a lot
more to work with this year. (Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)

With Jason Pominville and Matt Moulson contracts coming off the books next
summer, the Sabres will have money available to spend. If Skinner isn't a good
fit with the team, Botterill can always flip him at the deadline for a similar
grab to what they spent to get him.

For now, it's another dose of summertime excitement. Skinner is excited to join
 his new team and settle in.

The post Skinner Sees a Winner appeared first on The Hockey Writers.

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