The San Jose Sharks are making moves to bolster their roster, most recently signing veteran forward Jeff Skinner to a one-year, $3 million contract. This move aims to add scoring and experience to a team looking to support its young core. Skinner, 33, spent the past season with the Edmonton Oilers, where he recorded 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 72 games.

Sharks General Manager Mike Grier emphasized Skinner's proven goal-scoring ability and believes he can contribute in the top six. Grier noted that Skinner managed 16 goals last season despite limited ice time and no power-play time, highlighting his consistent offensive track record. The Sharks are hoping Skinner can have a similar impact to Tyler Toffoli, bringing character and professionalism to the team.

Skinner brings a wealth of experience to San Jose, having played 15 seasons in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, and Oilers. He has accumulated 699 career points (373 goals, 326 assists) in 1,078 regular-season games. Skinner was drafted seventh overall by Carolina in 2010 and won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2011. He also participated in the NHL All-Star Game twice, in 2011 and 2019.

Before joining the Sharks, Skinner played for the Edmonton Oilers, reaching the Stanley Cup Final. In 72 regular-season games with the Oilers, he scored 16 goals and 13 assists. He also contributed one goal and one assist in five playoff games, marking his first career postseason appearance.

The Sharks' acquisition of Skinner is part of a broader effort to add veteran presence to their roster. The team has also brought in players like John Klingberg, Dmitry Orlov, Nick Leddy, and Ryan Reaves. These additions are intended to support the development of young talents like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and William Eklund.

While Skinner's offensive capabilities are well-regarded, his defensive game has been a point of concern. However, he has managed to maintain a positive plus-minus rating in recent seasons, suggesting an ability to balance offensive risk with defensive responsibility. Despite his defensive shortcomings throughout his career, Skinner seems to have learned from his mistakes and figured out how to take the right offensive risks and limit the defensive liability to his own team.

Some analysts suggest that Skinner's arrival could influence the Sharks' plans for prospect Michael Misa. With Skinner potentially filling a top-nine role, Misa might benefit from an additional year of development in college hockey. This approach would allow Misa to mature at his own pace while the Sharks manage their roster effectively.