Report: Hurricanes' Jeff Skinner available on trade market
Add another big name to the NHL's trade market.
The Carolina Hurricanes have let it be known that forward Jeff Skinner is available, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.
The 23-year-old, named the NHL's Rookie of the Year back in 2011, is a two-time 30-goal scorer, and is averaging 28 goals per every 82 games played through his first five seasons.
The trouble is, Skinner has a history of concussions, and remains under contract through the end of the 2018-19 season with a cap hit of $5.725 million.
From LeBrun:
Skinner doesn’t have a no-trade clause currently active in his deal; it kicks in a few years from now. So Carolina is free to move him wherever there’s a deal to be had.
Skinner did appear in 77 games this past season, but recorded only 13 goals and 11 assists - career lows over a full 82-game season. He also posted a shooting percentage of 7.7 percent, almost three percent below his career average, and positive possession numbers, meaning he hardly hit his full potential.
A team willing to bank on renewed health and consistent production may be tempted to take a serious look at Skinner in the coming days.