Skinner would 'sign up to watch' Dahlin with Sabres

SAN JOSE -- Jeff Skinner knows rookie defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is a great selling point to signing long-term with the Buffalo Sabres.

"He's pretty good, yea? I'd sign up to watch him too," the Sabres left wing said at NHL All-Star Game Media Day presented by adidas on Thursday when asked if he would like to play with Dahlin for the rest of his career. "Seeing a guy that's 18 years old and a defenseman. Obviously he's got a lot of adjustments coming to a new country and to see how he's sort of made that adjustment so seamlessly I think is a testament to his off-ice character.

"But on the ice, he's super talented. He's gonna continue to get better and be fun to watch for a long time."
Skinner, a potential 2019 unrestricted free agent, was acquired in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on Aug. 2. He is tied for second in the NHL in goals (30) behind Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals (37) this season. The Sabres are four points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference, after missing the postseason in each of the past seven seasons.
"I've been having a good time [in Buffalo]. I think that my agent and management will take care of [the potential contract]," Skinner said. "I think that kind of thing takes care of itself over time. For me, I just try to focus on playing and then, when they call me, I get involved. But as of now, it's up to them I think, and I'm trying to focus on playing hockey."

Skinner was impressed that so many Sabres fans voted for him on the NHL All-Star Game Last Men In ballot.
"I think just the passion and love they have for Buffalo sports, you get a little bit of a snapshot of it as an opposing player," Skinner said. "But when you get to the city and get to be in the community and experience it firsthand what the team means to the community, it's pretty cool for me to see that and be a part of that. It's something that the players take a lot of pride in."