5 years agoImpending free-agent left wing Jeff Skinner and the Buffalo Sabres have agreed to an eight-year, $72 million contract on Friday, an average annual value of $9 million. Skinner, who hails from nearby Markham, Ontario, notched his first-ever 40-goal campaign while tying a career best with 63 points (also set in '10-11 and '16-17 in Carolina). He also had an even rating across 82 games, which was his best mark since a career-high plus-3 in his rookie season with the Hurricanes in 2010-11. His eight power-play goals and 16 PPP were his most since 2013-14, too. He parlayed a huge season into a wheelbarrow full of cash, and now he'll be a cornerstone of the Buffalo franchise, building together with center Jack Eichel and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.--Daniel Dobish
Source: NHL.com