from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic,

From Mark Stone and Matt Duchene to Artemi Panarin, Jeff Skinner and Wayne Simmonds, high-profile, pending UFAs have conversations looming ahead of the Feb. 25 trade deadline.

Sabres GM Jason Botterill and veteran agent Don Meehan of Newport Sports have traded messages this week trying to firm up when both sides can get going on Skinner, who is having a monster year after being acquired from Carolina....

“He’s an interesting case because he’s been previously inconsistent,’’ said one rival agent obviously not involved in it.

Skinner is on pace for his first 50-goal season after putting up 24 last year in Carolina. He had 37 goals two years ago after putting up 28 the year before that and 18 goals the season before that....

Funny what varying responses I got on Skinner from other agents around the league. One agent Tuesday suggested $8 million a year made sense. Another said $10-million plus.

Said yet another agent: “Pay him ahead of Evander Kane ($7 million) but behind Tyler Seguin ($9.85 million).’’

more (paid subscription) plus more on other UFAs...