Skinner’s future production rates shouldn’t be a concern

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY SportsNow that the NHL Trade Deadline has past and the Buffalo Sabres have pretty much removed themselves from the playoff picture, the focus turns to Jeff Skinner. The team’s leading goal scorer needs a new contract prior to hitting the open market as an unrestricted free agent in July.

We saw a comparable contract for Skinner handed out on deadline day that will be official when the calendar flips to March. The Vegas Golden Knights reportedly gave newly acquired winger Mark Stone an eight-year, $76 million contract ($9.5 million AAV).

The reported asking price from Skinner’s camp has always been in the neighborhood of a $9 million annual average value. This new…