BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Forward Jeff Skinner is both grateful and motivated by the new contract he signed to remain a member of the Buffalo Sabres for the next eight seasons.
He's impressed by the faith the Sabres showed by making him the team's second-highest-paid player behind captain Jack Eichel. And Skinner welcomes the raised expectations that come with his $72 million contract.
"Obviously, I know there's expectations and what my job is, and my job is to produce," Skinner told The Associated Press by phone Saturday in his first interview a day after reaching the deal.