Jeff Skinner is joining Christian Dubé in Biel, ending his NHL wait with a move to Switzerland.
EHC Biel announced that Skinner has signed a contract running through the end of April 2027, giving the veteran forward a firm landing spot for the coming season.
The move follows a difficult end to his San Jose stint. The Sharks placed Skinner on unconditional waivers earlier this year before his contract was terminated.
Skinner had produced 6 goals and 13 points in 32 games while playing on a 1-year, $3,000,000 contract. The production wasn't enough to keep his NHL opportunity alive.
Once he became an unrestricted free agent, no NHL deal materialized into another roster spot. That opened the door for Skinner to seriously consider Europe.
His Buffalo buyout also gave him financial flexibility. Skinner is reportedly still owed $6,400,000 this season, with payments continuing through 2030.
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Biel clearly views him as more than an ordinary depth signing. The Swiss club promoted Skinner as an NHL star while adding a recognizable scorer to Dubé's roster.
For Skinner, the attraction is obvious. Instead of waiting for an NHL camp invitation or a late opening, he gets a defined role in Switzerland's National League.
The contract lasting through April 2027 also makes this more than a quick European audition before trying to jump back across the Atlantic after a few weeks.
There is still scoring history behind the name. Skinner reached a career-high 40 goals with Buffalo in 2018-19 after establishing himself earlier with Carolina.
His path since then has been far less stable, running through Buffalo's buyout, Edmonton and a short San Jose stop before this move overseas.
Biel now offers something the NHL market didn't: certainty. Skinner can focus on offense instead of wondering whether another North American roster spot will appear.
Whether Switzerland becomes the final chapter of his career remains open. What is settled is his immediate future, and Skinner has chosen playing time in Biel over waiting any longer for another NHL call.
Will Jeff Skinner return to the NHL after his season in Switzerland?
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