The former Carolina Hurricane has put up big numbers in his inaugural season donning Sabres garb; so, what does his next payday mean for the current Carolina Hurricane star?
Jeff Skinner had a great 2019 season. No matter how you look at it, Hurricanes fans should be happy for the resurgence of their former All-Star and Calder trophy winner. Sebastian Aho had an even better year, and many would look at these two free-agents as comparable in their impact, and eventual payday.
There are notable differences to consider between these two players. Skinner is a 9-year veteran on his second contract while scoring at least 30-goals four times, and over 50 points five times, all before his 28th birthday.
Sebastian Aho is entering his first post-entry level contract and has almost 200 points in only three professional seasons. There is more to the narrative for Aho; he has transitioned almost seamlessly to the center position, has been arguably the teams most talented and productive individual of 2019, and is only 21-years old.
Many have reported Skinner’s new contract to fall in the ball park of an eight-year, $72 million deal; positioning him to earn $9 million annually. There are fewer concrete reports on Aho’s potential earnings, but many believe he could be the highest paid player on the team; putting him well above Jordan Staal’s $6 Million Annual salary.
Some interesting developments on the negotiations between the #Sabres and Jeff Skinner came about last night via TSN's Bob McKenzie.
— WGR 550 (@WGR550) May 30, 2019
“Sweet spot seems to be an eight-year deal between $8.5 million and $9.5 million AAV”
Where do you draw the line with a Jeff Skinner contract? https://t.co/s2pfmP641v
What is helpful when considering these negotiations is what Skinner’s first non-entry level deal looked like. In 2012, a 20-year old Jeff Skinner signed a six-year $34.4 million, $5.7 Million annual, contract extension.
This is a little more complicated to quantify when compared to Aho’s value, because of the lockout shortened 2012 season. Skinner still projected to put up a near 30 goal season in his third year.
So, does Skinner’s current $9 million annual salary stand as comparable to what Aho can expect this offseason, or is his original 2012 extension more in-line with the young centerman’s market value? I would contend that Aho’s next contract is somewhere in the middle.