Reviewing the Jeff Skinner trade with the Buffalo Sabres

What did Carolina get back?

Carolina got four pieces back for their former Calder winner. Pu, a 2019 second-round pick, a 2020 third-round pick, and a 2020 sixth-round pick. At the time, this looked like Jason Botterill had absolutely fleeced Don Waddell. It looked like an absolutely shambolic return for the Hurricanes who were one of the most irrelevant organizations in hockey at the time. However, it wouldn’t turn out that way.

Pu never played for Carolina. but he did have a 44-game spell for the Charlotte Checkers when they were the Carolina Hurricanes affiliate. He’d also get a brief assignment with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL but never got his chance in the big leagues. He was traded to Florida later that season in exchange for future considerations, which to this point is nothing.

The 2020 third-round pick was used by the Hurricanes to select a prospect that is still in the Hurricanes’ system. Alexander Nikishin. Not the biggest name in the pipeline, Nikishin just signed an extension to stay in the KHL but is still one of the more promising players in the system. If he does ever come across, he has a lot of promise. But as of right now, he’s rather unknown.

That 2020 sixth-rounder wasn’t used by Carolina. It was flipped alongside Scott Darling. This was also sent to Florida. However, it was quite the return. Carolina got back goaltender James Reimer. Carolina’s acquisition of Reimer was quite a good one. With Reimer, Carolina became one of the most stable teams at the top of the NHL standings. Now a Shark, Reimer was a great member of the Hurricanes.

Now, you’ll have noticed I skipped over the 2019 2nd round selection. Carolina used that pick on goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov. Yes, the very same Pyotr Kochetkov that went 13-1-2 in his first 16 games in the AHL. Kochetkov has 3 NHL starts and a 4-2 record. Doesn’t speak a word of English, but was very good when the Canes needed to call on the 22-year-old this year. He looks more and more like he will be a long-term piece of the future.

So, what do you think? Was the Skinner trade worth it? I personally think you can argue both ways, but at the end of the day, you cannot be upset with anything but the contract he signed in Buffalo. He’s a good player and Carolina got some very useful parts in exchange for their premier winger.

Question for Cardiac Cane Readers: What do you think of the Skinner trade in Hindsight?