I don't know of a single instance of a player with a NTC/NMC in tact and it not remaining in tact after the trade. Doesn't matter if he's 1 year, 2 years, 3 years or even on IR with a career ending injury. Heck, Horton's clause survived the trade to Toronto even though he'd never play again. Maybe there's a slight chance Skinner's didn't survive, but I doubt it, regardless of a what a beat writer wrote.
Not that it matters though anyhow. The Sabres didn't trade for Skinner for 1 year of him, they did it in hopes of re-signing him. And if they are out of it at the deadline and feel they can't sign Skinner, he's more than likely going to waive any clause to get a chance to go to a playoff team. This isn't a vet, who has a cup win, has been to the playoffs countless times and who has a family that's entrenched in an area (like when Ray Whitney refused). This is a guy who has never been to the playoffs and would likely not hesitate to waive his clause if it meant he gets to play in the playoffs.
Whether his clause remains (which I will believe it does until something definitive says otherwise), really isn't very relevant.