Did you blow / suck out the line where you screwed in that gizmo all the way up to the pump input ? If so worst case can be the line under the skimmer going down to the main drain has / will break. "IF" that's the case you just need to install a plug in the skimmer and another down in the main drain ( come spring ). Much cheaper than replacing the skimmer. Right now fill that skimmer to the top with pool antifreeze and once it mixes into the ice start adding foam noodles cut up to fill the skimmer ( might be a trick to get someone to go into the back room to dig one out for you now ) . Suck out the mix of water and antifreeze and replace with full strength antifreeze and repeat till you have just antifreeze and stuffed tight with cut up noodles. Once you can get a screw in plug into the main drain hole, do so. I do not think that pipe will de ice enough to get foam rope down there now as it is a "B" of a job under normal conditions. BUT if you can do so, do it as water will raise to the level of the water in the pool via that line , unless it is froze as then it will be plugged ( with ice )..
