Breaking: Jeff Skinner Placed on Unconditional Waivers for Contract Termination
In a significant roster move that has immediately sparked conversation across the hockey world, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has reported that Jeff Skinner has been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination.
The announcement marks a sudden shift in Skinner’s tenure and opens up speculation regarding the veteran forward's next landing spot.
The Announcement
The news broke Monday afternoon via X, where Friedman provided the update regarding Skinner’s status. Contract termination is a decisive move, often signaling a mutual agreement between player and club to part ways immediately, allowing the player to become an unrestricted free agent.
Jeff Skinner (SJ) on unconditional waivers for purposes of contract termination
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 16, 2026
What This Means for Skinner
Placement on unconditional waivers is the procedural first step toward terminating a standard player contract. Once Skinner clears waivers, his contract will be officially terminated, removing his cap hit from the team’s books (barring any buyout penalties or specific settlement details) and granting him immediate freedom to sign with any NHL club.
For a scorer with Skinner’s pedigree, this presents a unique mid-season opportunity for contending teams looking to add offensive depth without the hurdle of acquiring a massive salary through a trade.
Source: Jeff Skinner @ Elite Prospects
What's Next?
All eyes will be on the waiver wire tomorrow at 2:00 PM ET. If Skinner clears as expected, he will become a free agent immediately. We will continue to update this story as details regarding his next team emerge.