How Jeff Skinner and San Jose Sharks Ended His Contract Early

Jeff Skinner's contract with the Sharks is over. He earned $3 million this season but played only 32 games.
By Newsroom | Hockey, NHL |

The professional relationship between the San Jose Sharks and veteran forward Jeff Skinner has concluded. On February 17, 2026, Skinner cleared unconditional waivers, leading to the immediate termination of his one-year contract. This move follows a period where the player was removed from the active lineup and marks a significant shift for both the rebuilding team and the 33-year-old athlete. By ending the contract now, the Sharks remove his salary from their books, while Skinner gains the freedom to sign with any team as an unrestricted free agent.

The decision comes at a critical point in the NHL season, falling between the Olympic break and the fast-approaching trade deadline. While the move allows the Sharks to prioritize younger players, it also highlights the difficulty of finding a trade partner for a veteran on a $3 million deal who had recently struggled with scoring and injuries.

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Timeline of Events and Key Figures

The partnership between the player and the team lasted less than a full season. The following timeline outlines the events leading to the contract termination:

  • July 2025: Jeff Skinner signs a one-year, $3 million contract with the San Jose Sharks.

  • November–December 2025: Skinner misses several weeks of play due to a lower-body injury.

  • January 16, 2026: A "no-move" clause in Skinner's contract expires, giving the Sharks more freedom to change his roster status.

  • Mid-January to February 2026: Skinner is designated as a "healthy scratch," meaning he is fit to play but not selected for the game lineup. He misses 10 consecutive games.

  • February 16, 2026: The Sharks place Skinner on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination.

  • February 17, 2026: Skinner clears waivers without being claimed by another team; the contract is officially terminated.

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Primary Actors:

  • Jeff Skinner: 16-season NHL veteran with 1,110 career games.

  • Mike Grier: General Manager of the San Jose Sharks (led the roster adjustment).

  • Elliotte Friedman: NHL Insider who first reported the waiver status.

Evidence of Performance and Financial Impact

The termination is supported by data regarding Skinner’s output during his short time in San Jose and his historical performance.

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Category2025-26 Season (Sharks)Career Totals (16 Seasons)
Games Played321,110
Goals Scored6379
Total Points13712
Average Ice Time12:21N/A
Plus/Minus Rating-8N/A

The core data shows a player earning $3 million while playing third-line minutes (12:21 per game) and producing 0.40 points per game. This production level, combined with a recent injury, likely impacted his trade value.

Probing the Decision to Terminate

There are different ways to look at why this contract ended early. The evidence suggests two primary viewpoints that co-exist without one necessarily proving the other wrong.

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Roster Youth vs. Veteran Experience

  • View A (Team Focus): The Sharks are currently in a rebuilding phase. Reports indicate the team wants to create "cap space" and "reshape their roster." By removing a 33-year-old veteran, they open a spot for younger players like William Eklund to take on more responsibility.

  • View B (Player Focus): Skinner was a healthy scratch for 10 games. For a veteran with over 1,000 games of experience, sitting out while healthy suggests a breakdown in the fit between the player's style and the coach’s plan. Termination allows him to find a team where he will actually play.

Trade Value vs. Waiver Strategy

  • View A (Market Value): No team claimed Skinner on waivers, which means no team wanted to pay his current $3 million salary or give up assets in a trade.

  • View B (Mutual Strategy): Reports by Pro Hockey Rumors suggest Skinner may have "tangible interest" from another team. However, that team likely wanted him at a lower cost or without sending players back to San Jose. Contract termination makes him "free," allowing a new team to sign him to a cheaper deal.

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"The timing of the maneuver suggests Skinner has tangible interest from at least one other NHL team, but they weren’t interested in acquiring him from the Sharks – even for future considerations – at his current cap hit." — Pro Hockey Rumors analysis

Expert Analysis

NHL insiders and local reporters suggest this was a move of convenience for both sides. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet noted that the unconditional waiver process is the standard path for a "mutual agreement" to part ways.

Investigators looking at the Sharks' salary cap see this as a "clean break." By terminating the deal, the Sharks avoid a "buyout," which would have left a smaller charge on their books for a longer time. Instead, the money simply disappears from the cap. San Jose Hockey Now pointed out that the team's depth at left wing, including players like Kiefer Sherwood, made Skinner expendable as the team looks toward the future.

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Conclusion

The investigation into Jeff Skinner’s departure from the San Jose Sharks reveals a mutual exit driven by a lack of on-ice fit and financial hurdles.

Findings:

  • Skinner's performance (13 points in 32 games) did not match the expectations of a $3 million veteran role.

  • A lower-body injury in late 2025 disrupted his ability to stay in the top scoring roles.

  • The expiration of his no-move clause in January allowed the team to take this action.

  • No NHL team was willing to take on his current contract, as evidenced by him clearing waivers.

Next Steps:Jeff Skinner is now an unrestricted free agent. He is eligible to sign a new contract with any of the other 31 NHL teams immediately. The San Jose Sharks will continue their season with an open roster spot and increased salary cap flexibility as they approach the trade deadline.

Primary Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the San Jose Sharks end Jeff Skinner's contract on February 17, 2026?
The Sharks and Jeff Skinner decided to end his one-year contract early. This happened after he cleared unconditional waivers on February 17, 2026. The team wanted to give younger players more chances and save money.
Q: What happens to Jeff Skinner now that his contract is ended?
Jeff Skinner is now a free agent. He can sign with any other NHL team immediately. This gives him a chance to play more and possibly for a team that needs him.
Q: How does ending Jeff Skinner's contract help the San Jose Sharks?
The Sharks save money by ending his $3 million contract. This also opens up a spot on their team for younger players to develop. It helps them as they rebuild their team.
Q: Did another team want to trade for Jeff Skinner before his contract ended?
No team claimed Jeff Skinner when he was put on waivers. This means no team wanted to take on his contract. It suggests that his trade value was low because of his salary and recent performance.
Q: When did Jeff Skinner join the San Jose Sharks?
Jeff Skinner signed a one-year contract with the San Jose Sharks in July 2025. His time with the team lasted less than a full season before the contract was terminated.