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NHL Analyst Suggests Maple Leafs Chase Oilers' Free Agent Forward

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 6:48 AM ET

As the Toronto Maple Leafs keep trying to fill the gap created by Mitch Marner's exit to Vegas, one analyst believes Toronto should pursue a veteran free agent target.

In LeafsNation's Alex Hobson's eyes, the Leafs should approach former Edmonton Oilers winger and pending unrestricted free agent Jeff Skinner.

“Jeff Skinner is somebody I was vouching for the Maple Leafs to sign last offseason,” Hobson wrote. “It reportedly came down to the Maple Leafs or the Edmonton Oilers, and he opted to join the latter.”

Skinner signed a one-year, $3 million deal with Edmonton last summer and completed a 29-point season, appearing in 72 regular-season games.

5 notable NHL free agents who are still available https://t.co/PskPW5pY22
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Already in the playoffs, however, Skinner only appeared in five postseason games throughout the Oilers' run to the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive season.

Hobson believes the 33-year-old winger could fill a pressing need for Toronto, even if his production has not been otherworldly of late.

“Even if 29 points isn’t attractive on paper, he may appeal to Treliving as a middle-six, second-power-play-unit type of player,” Hobson wrote.

Skinner is a seasoned veteran with 373 goals over 1,078 regular-season games through 15 years of NHL play. The veteran forward has only those five games of postseason experience, having never played playoff hockey before he did so with the Oilers this year.

Hobson acknowledged Skinner’s defensive shortcomings but emphasized the low-risk nature of a short-term deal.

According to Daily Faceoff, Skinner is the 50th-best free agent available this summer, and he's projected to sign another one-year contract worth $2.5 million at some point throughout the offseason.

The Leafs have $4.9 million in current cap space, more than enough to accommodate Skinner's expected demands.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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