Avalanche Sign Defenseman Skinner, Re-Sign Forward Dupuis

The Colorado Avalanche announced that they have signed defenseman Brett Skinner and re-sign center Philippe Dupuis to contracts. The exact length and financial terms of their deals were not disclosed. Skinner appeared in 11 games last season with the New York Islanders, scoring no points, before being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in January for Junior Lessard. Skinner did not play any games with the Thrashers, instead playing in 37 games with their AHL affiliate in Chicago, scoring three goals and 20 assists for 23 points. Dupuis played in eight games with the Avalanche last season, scoring no points. He also appeared in 67 games last season with the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL, scoring 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points. These are really just depth signings for the Avalanche, who previously announced they will be keeping their payroll down for next season and only target affordable, depth players via free agency. Skinner has decent offensive capabilities on the blueline, but has not been able to bring that success to the NHL. In the end, he’s really nothing more than a reserve defenseman. Dupuis has the potential to become a top-nine forward, but for now, will likely be a fourth line forward for the Avalanche if he makes the team next season.

Islanders Acquire Lessard from Thrashers for Skinner

The New York Islanders announced on Tuesday that they have acquired right wing Junior Lessard from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for defenseman Brett Skinner. Lessard, who has six goals and five assists for 11 points in 41 games, was assigned to the Islanders' AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. In 27 career NHL games with the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning, he has three goals and one assist for four points. Lessard has yet to appear in an NHL game this season. Skinner, in his first NHL season, has played in 11 games, scoring no points and four penalty minutes. There isn't much to say about this trade. It's merely one for the Islanders to boost their AHL affiliate with offensive depth and the Thrashers to bolster their defensive depth at the AHL level. Don't expect to see these two in the NHL for the rest of the season unless their respected teams become ravaged with injuries over the next couple of months.