The San Jose Sharks have made a significant addition to their roster by signing veteran forward Jeff Skinner to a one-year contract worth $3 million, the team announced on Friday, July 11, 2025. At 33 years old and entering his 16th NHL season, Skinner brings a wealth of experience and scoring ability to a Sharks team eager to climb the standings after a busy offseason.
Skinner’s recent season with the Edmonton Oilers marked a milestone in his career as he made his first postseason appearance after 15 years in the league. During the 2024-25 regular season, he contributed 29 points, including 16 goals and 13 assists, across 72 games. Although Skinner spent much of the Oilers’ Stanley Cup Final run as a healthy scratch, he returned to the lineup for the final three games, registering five shots but no points before the Oilers fell to the Florida Panthers in Game 7. This playoff experience, albeit limited, adds a new dimension to Skinner’s career and could prove invaluable for the Sharks.
Originally drafted seventh overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2010 NHL Draft, Skinner burst onto the scene by winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s best rookie in 2010-11. That season, he posted an impressive 63 points (31 goals, 32 assists), leading all rookies and becoming one of only five players since 2000-01 to achieve 30 goals and 30 assists in their rookie campaign alongside stars like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.
Over his career, Skinner has amassed 699 points (373 goals, 326 assists) in 1,078 NHL games, split between the Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, and Oilers. His tenure with the Sabres was marked by some of his best offensive output, including a career-high 40 goals in the 2018-19 season and a personal best 82 points (35 goals, 47 assists) in 2022-23. Despite these achievements, injuries and fluctuating roles have affected his consistency, leading to the Sabres buying out the remaining three years of his contract in the summer of 2024.
The Oilers picked up Skinner on a one-year, $3 million deal for the 2024-25 season, hoping to slot him alongside Leon Draisaitl on the second line. However, after initial preseason and early-season appearances with Draisaitl, Skinner was moved down the lineup, eventually ending up on the fourth line and becoming a healthy scratch by December. This shift reflected a mismatch in chemistry with the Oilers’ top stars, but Skinner still managed to produce effectively during his ice time, ranking third on the team in 5-on-5 goals per hour behind Draisaitl and Zach Hyman.
Now, the Sharks hope Skinner’s scoring touch and veteran presence will thrive in a new environment. General Manager Mike Grier has been vocal about the need to add a top-nine winger, and Skinner fits the bill perfectly. With the Sharks’ young core featuring promising talents like 2025 No. 2 draft pick Michael Misa, Macklin Celebrini, and Will Smith, Skinner’s experience and leadership could help accelerate their development. There’s also potential for Skinner to play a more prominent role, possibly on the second line, where he might alternate center duties with Will Smith, a role he occasionally filled last season with the Oilers.
Advanced analytics shed light on Skinner’s recent performances, revealing a player who drove offensive play and created scoring chances but was somewhat unlucky in finishing. His regularized-adjusted plus-minus (RAPM) charts from the last few seasons indicate strong offensive contributions despite defensive shortcomings. While his career plus-minus sits at minus-129, his more recent 5-on-5 numbers show improvement, suggesting he has learned to balance offensive risks with defensive responsibilities better over time.
Skinner’s signing also provides the Sharks with flexibility. The one-year deal doesn’t lock the team into a long-term commitment, allowing for potential trade opportunities at the deadline if the Sharks decide to capitalize on Skinner’s value. This approach mirrors previous savvy moves by Grier, such as the John Klingberg contract, aimed at mixing veteran leadership with youth development.
The Sharks have been busy this offseason, adding not only Skinner but also forwards Adam Gaudette, Philipp Kurashev, and Ryan Reaves; defensemen Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg, and Nick Leddy; and goalie Alex Nedeljkovic. These acquisitions have shifted the team’s average age from the third-youngest in the NHL to the 20th-youngest, reflecting a blend of youth and experience designed to compete more effectively in the coming season.
Jeff Skinner’s career is notable for both his scoring prowess and resilience. A two-time NHL All-Star (2011, 2019), he reached the milestone of 1,000 NHL games in April 2024, becoming the first player from the 2010 draft class to do so and one of the youngest in NHL history to reach that mark. Internationally, Skinner has represented Canada four times at the IIHF World Championships, earning a silver medal in 2017.
As the Sharks prepare for the 2025-26 NHL season, Skinner’s arrival adds a proven scorer and seasoned professional to a team eager to improve its fortunes. With his history of goal-scoring and ability to adapt to different roles, Skinner could be the missing piece that helps San Jose elevate its game and support the growth of its young stars.
While the Sharks’ roster continues to evolve, the signing of Jeff Skinner signals a commitment to blending veteran savvy with youthful potential. Fans will be watching closely to see how Skinner fits into the lineup and whether he can rediscover the scoring touch that made him one of the league’s most consistent offensive threats over his 15-year career.
