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.