According to Bob McKenzie, the Buffalo Sabres and Jeff Skinner are closing in on an eight-year deal somewhere between an $8.5 and $9.5 million AAV. The immediate thought on such a rumor is how will that affect New York Islanders captain Anders Lee and his contract negotiations?
According to Arthur Staple (subscription required), the hold-up with Lee was over the term of the deal. Lee and his camp want seven years, while Lou Lamoriello and the Islanders aren’t going any higher than five years.
But if recent 40 goal scorer Jeff Skinner gets a $9 million AAV for the full eight years, what does that mean for Anders Lee and his negotiations with the Islanders?