New Jersey Devils

Skalde was drafted by the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the second round, 26th overall, in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He appeared in his first NHL game on October 7, 1990, recording an assist in a 7–4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, his only NHL game during the 1990–91 season. In three games with the Utica Devils of the American Hockey League (AHL) that season, Skalde scored three goals and five points.

Skalde spent the majority of the 1991–92 season in the AHL with Utica, where he scored 20 goals and 40 points in 62 games. He also appeared in 15 NHL games that season. On March 4, Skalde scored his first career NHL goal, the game-winning goal against Mike Richter of the New York Rangers in a 5–4 victory. Overall, Skalde scored two goals and six points in the NHL. In the post-season, he returned to Utica, where in four games, Skalde scored three goals and four points.

The 1992–93 season was spent mainly in Utica, as Skalde scored 21 goals and 60 points in 59 games. In five playoff games in the AHL, Skalde had two assists. Skalde appeared in 11 games with New Jersey during the 1992–93 season, earning two points in 11 games. Skalde also played in four games with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the International Hockey League (IHL), scoring a goal and three points.

On June 24, 1993, Skalde was left unprotected during the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft, and was selected by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

Skalde spent most of the 1993–94 season with the San Diego Gulls of the IHL, scoring 25 goals and 63 points in 58 games. In the post-season, Skalde led San Diego in scoring, with three goals and 15 points in nine games.

Skalde saw action in the NHL during the 1993–94 season with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, scoring the overtime winning goal against Curtis Joseph in a 2–1 win over the St. Louis Blues in his first game with the club on December 12. In his next game, on December 14, Skalde recorded his first multi-point NHL game, earning two assists in a 5–2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. On December 17, he recorded his first career multi-goal game in the NHL, as Skalde scored twice against Darcy Wakaluk of the Dallas Stars in a 3–2 victory. In 20 games with the Mighty Ducks, Skalde recorded five goals and nine points.

In 1994–95, Skalde spent the entire season with the Las Vegas Thunder of the IHL, as in 74 games, he scored 34 goals and 75 points, finishing third in team scoring. In the post-season, Skalde added two goals and six points in nine games.

Skalde began the 1995–96 season with the Baltimore Bandits of the AHL, where in 11 games, he scored two goals and eight points.

On October 30, 1995, the Mighty Ducks traded Skalde to the Calgary Flames for Bobby Marshall.

Calgary Flames

Skalde was assigned to the Calgary Flames' AHL affiliate, the Saint John Flames, following his trade to the team. Skalde appeared in 68 games with Saint John, scoring 27 goals and 67 points to finish second in team scoring. In the playoffs, Skalde scored four goals and had a team high 13 points in 16 games, as the Flames lost in the Northern Conference finals.

Skalde also appeared in one game with Calgary during the 1995–96, getting no points.

In 1996–97, Skalde spent the season with Saint John. In 65 games, Skalde scored a team high 32 goals and 68 points. In three playoff games, Skalde was held pointless.

Following the season, Skalde was granted free agency.

1997–98 season

Skalde appeared in his first game with the San Jose Sharks on October 25, earning an assist in a 4–3 win over the New Jersey Devils. He scored his first goal with the Sharks on November 12 against Arturs Irbe of the Vancouver Canucks in a 5–2 loss. In 22 games with San Jose, Skalde scored four goals and 10 points. On January 8, Skalde was claimed off of waivers by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Skalde appeared in his first game with the Blackhawks on January 10, as he was held off the scoresheet in a 4–3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. On January 15, Skalde scored his first, and only, point with Chicago, earning an assist in a 3–2 loss to the Washington Capitals. On January 23, Skalde was reclaimed off waivers by the Sharks. Before Skalde could appear in another game with San Jose, the team placed him on waivers, and on January 27, the Dallas Stars claimed Skalde.

Skalde appeared in one game with the Stars following their waiver claim, spring no points in a 1–0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on February 4. On February 10, Skalde was reclaimed by Chicago Blackhawks off waivers. He appeared in three more games with Chicago, earning no points. On March 6, the Sharks again reclaimed Skalde off waivers. During his tenure with Chicago, Skalde appeared in two games with the IHL affiliate, the Indianapolis Ice, scoring two goals. Skalde finished the 1997–98 season with the Sharks' AHL affiliate, the Kentucky Thoroughblades, playing in 23 games and scoring five goals and 20 points. In the post-season, Skalde had three goals in three games.

San Jose Sharks

Skalde spent most of the 1998–99 season with Kentucky, as he scored 17 goals and 57 points in 54 games. In 12 playoff games, Skalde scored four goals and nine points. Skalde appeared in 17 games with the Sharks during the 1998–99 season, scoring a goal and two points. Following the season, Skalde was granted free agency.

Utah Grizzlies

Skalde signed with the Utah Grizzlies of the IHL for the 1999–00 season, leading the Grizzlies in points, with 25 goals and 54 assists, in 77 games. In five playoff games, Skalde was held to an assist. He was named to the IHL First All-Star team. Following the season, Skalde became a free agent.

Atlanta Thrashers

On July 21, 2000, Skalde signed with the Atlanta Thrashers, making debut on October 7, in a 2–1 loss to the New York Rangers. He earned his first point with Atlanta on October 17, an assist, in a 3–3 tie against the New Jersey Devils. On October 25, Skalde scored his first goal as a Thrasher against Joaquin Gage of the Edmonton Oilers in a 3–1 victory. In 19 games with Atlanta, Skalde had a goal and three points.

Skalde spent most of the 2000–01 season with the Thrashers' IHL affiliate, the Orlando Solar Bears, scoring 14 goals and 54 points in 60 games. In the playoffs, Skalde added three goals and nine points in 15 games, helping Orlando win the Turner Cup.

In 2001–02, Skalde was assigned to the Thrashers' AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, playing 64 games, scoring 15 goals and 52 points. On March 5, 2002, Skalde was traded by the Thrashers to the Philadelphia Flyers for Joe DiPenta.

Philadelphia Flyers

Skalde finished the 2001–02 season with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms. In 16 games with the Phantoms, Skalde had four goals and eight points and added two assists in four playoff games. Skalde appeared in one game with the Flyers during the 2001–02, held scoreless in a 3–1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on April 1. After the season, Skalde was granted free agency.

Later career

Skalde signed with HC Lausanne of the National League A (NLA) in Switzerland. During the 2002–03 season, Skalde had seven goals and 15 points in 23 games.

Skalde signed with the Dallas Stars on July 17, 2003, and was assigned to the Utah Grizzlies, now in the AHL, for the 2003–04 season. In 77 games, Skalde led the club with 23 goals and 58 points. Skalde became a free agent after the season.

On July 28, 2004, Skalde signed a contract with the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning but never played for them, as the NHL season was cancelled due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout. Skalde instead began the 2004–05 season with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL, the Lightning's top affiliate, and in 15 games, Skalde had a goal and six points. On November 20, 2004, the Lightning loaned Skalde to the Utah Grizzlies with whom he finished the season, scoring seven goals and 22 points in 56 games. After the season, Skalde was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Jason Jaspers before becoming a free agent.^[2]

Skalde joined Leksands IF of the Swedish Elite League (SEL) for 2005–06. In 36 games, Skalde had four goals and nine points, as well as 120 penalty minutes. In the post-season, Skalde had no points in nine games. Skalde also appeared in two games with the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL, scoring a goal and three points with the team.

Skalde signed with the Oji Eagles of the Asia League Ice Hockey (ALIH) in 2006–07, a team based in Tomakomai, Japan. In 34 games, Skalde had 15 goals and 47 points, and in four playoff games, Skalde scored two goals.

The following season, Skalde played with HK Acroni Jesenice, scoring one goal in three games. In the post-season, Skalde appeared in six games, scoring a goal and three points.

Skalde played in ten games with the Bloomington Prairie Thunder of the newer International Hockey League in 2008, scoring five goals and nine points.