The New York Islanders are quietly building something intriguing this season-and GM Mathieu Darche deserves a lot of credit. He’s been wheeling and dealing with precision, bringing in experienced depth like Ondrej Palat and Carson Soucy without giving up much in return. But there’s another potential move on the horizon that could add even more value without costing the Isles a single asset: Jeff Skinner.
Skinner, 33, was just placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks as part of an expected contract termination. Once that process is complete, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent. And that’s where things could get interesting for the Islanders.
Now, let’s be clear-Skinner isn’t the 30-goal scorer he once was. But that doesn’t mean he’s got nothing left in the tank.
For a playoff-bound team like the Islanders, he represents the kind of low-risk, high-upside addition that can pay dividends down the stretch. Think of it this way: Skinner would be coming in hungry, looking to prove he still belongs in the league.
That kind of motivation is hard to quantify, but it often shows up in big moments.
From a financial standpoint, this is about as team-friendly as it gets. Skinner would likely command no more than a league-minimum deal, prorated for the rest of the season. That’s a negligible cap hit for a player with his offensive instincts and history of production.
So how would Skinner fit into Patrick Roy’s lineup?
The most logical spot is in the middle six. Skinner’s not the kind of player you bury on a checking line-he needs to be in a position to generate offense.
One option could be sliding him into Jonathan Drouin’s spot, as Drouin hasn’t quite delivered the spark the Isles were hoping for. Pairing Skinner with young forwards like Calum Ritchie and Emil Heineman might give that line a fresh look-and some much-needed scoring punch.
Another intriguing possibility? A veteran trio with JG Pageau and Anders Lee.
Both Lee and Skinner are relentless on the puck and have a knack for getting to the dirty areas in front of the net. Pageau brings the two-way responsibility that could help balance out the line.
It’s a mix of grit, experience, and offensive upside that could quietly become a difference-maker in the playoffs.
And if Skinner really finds his groove? Don’t rule out the idea of giving him a look alongside Bo Horvat. Horvat has a way of elevating the play of those around him, and Skinner could thrive in a more sheltered, complementary role with a top-tier center.
Of course, this all hinges on Skinner clearing waivers and choosing the Islanders as his next destination. But if the stars align, the Isles could find themselves with a motivated veteran, playoff experience, and a little extra scoring punch-all without giving up a single pick or prospect.
For a team that’s already trending in the right direction, that’s the kind of move that can help push them over the top.