The Buffalo Sabres didn’t have a great Monday. After Rasmus Ristolainen and Sam Reinhart both sparked some hot stove speculation with their media availability comments, a perturbed Jack Eichel lit the building on fire. Not only did Eichel express frustration at how his medical situation has been handled by the team, but he left the door wide open for trade speculation, saying his focus was on getting healthy and playing hockey “wherever that might be.”
That became the biggest story of the week, even as teams prepare for the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs that will begin on Saturday. Eichel’s future has been discussed every offseason since he landed with a franchise in Buffalo that has underperformed for years. Now it seems more likely than ever that the team will trade him by next season, with Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reporting that there was a “contentious exit interview” between the injured star and the organization.
So where will Eichel go?
The most common teams listed as potential suitors are the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers but there will be many more teams interested even with the injury concerns. Friedman suggests that the Boston Bruins will likely try, while also listing Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens as teams that have enough young pieces to get a deal done. Pierre LeBrun said today on TSN’s Insider Trading that the Minnesota Wild are another potential fit. That will not be an exhaustive list of potential buyers if the Sabres truly make Eichel available this offseason.
Of course, there is that injury to worry about. Eichel’s camp seems set on surgical repair for his neck injury, which could scare off some teams, at least from paying the full price. Is trading him under that cloud of uncertainty really in the Sabres’ best interest? Or could Eichel start the year in Buffalo to prove his health and worth?
It’s certainly not clear at this point where he will end up, so give us your thoughts on the situation. Cast a vote below on which team will have Eichel to start the 2021-22 season and make sure to explain yourself in the comment section below.
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Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
What would it take for the Red Wings to get him?
Stevie Y!
realistically maybe seider, a b prospect, and a 2022 and 2023 first? idk but it’s interesting to think about
Sounds fair but I would say Seider is untouchable. He looks all world and Detroit desperately needs defense.
I’m just curious, you know Stevie thought about it. He’s got a ton of draft capital this year but he want to build this thing from scratch and then add stars.
yeah i think so. i highly doubt he would actually trade for eichel. maybe if they were further along in the rebuild but probably not now
If he’s traded the Kings would be the perfect fit. Byfield, 2021 1st, 2022 1st for Eichel and a 2022 3rd
Dont do crack kids. Byfield won’t be traded for eichel under any circumstances. Even without him they can offer the best package of picks and prospects and takes eichel out of the east.
Bank it. Pavel Buchnevich, Zac Jones and 2 first rounders.
Cmon now, that’s no where close to enough… try kakko, laf and 2 first rounders
Kakko 2nd overall
Laff 1st overall
2 firsts
So 4 first round picks including at least 3 top 3s
You’re on meth
For a guy who has produced at the level that eichel has for the past sevens seasons yes, takes talent to get talent. Kakko has not produced as a second overall pick, laf was ok at best this year but certainly not 1st overall, still has ton of potential. This years draft is known to be be as strong as past drafts, 2022 will be stronger.
There isn’t one team in the NHL that would pay that. Buffalo won’t even get what they probably should for Eichel. Not with his injury (strike one), his “implied” request to be traded (strike two) and his hefty paycheque (strike three). I’m not saying he isn’t a great player. He is. Circumstances couldn’t be worse for Buffalo to fall short on a return for Jack Eichel.
@dawg, yeah, I agree that may not be enough, but yours is no better. Kakko and a first rounder with Jones is more realistic. Let’s not discount the enormous salary relief and herniated disc in his neck.
How the rangers gonna afford that 10 million salary without clearing major cap as well in a trade like this. Just don’t see rangers as the right fit with all the great prospects they have plus a lot of money already tied up next season.
The Rangers may be better off to pursue Kuznetsov than Eichel. Maybe one of Laf/Kakko and K’Andre Miller would be just about enough to get Kuznetsov. I’m not great with trade proposals, so maybe it wouldn’t work. He seems like a cheaper target for the Rangers than Eichel and Kuznetsov has lots of playoff experience as well.
Too much for Kuznetsov, would think more Miller, another lower level prospect and a 1st
If the cracked out sabers staff would let him have the surgery the injury wouldn’t be and issue, LA has money to spend with 0 pending free agents. Getting Carter, quick and brown off the books within the year
I would think that with Ovechkin not getting any younger, the Capitals would want a return of players that can help them immediately as opposed to picks which is why I went with Laf or Kakko instead.
Besides, Kuznetsov is still young enough that the Rangers could still get a few more 70-80 point seasons out of him. He may have worn out his welcome in Washington. If he steps up again in the playoffs, that will make him look better still after a down year.
That’s true but those 2 are worth too much especially with the flat cap
I’ve heard a weak draft this year by the hockey guys because prospects unable to play. So how will this be stronger?
It’s just not as strong as previous drafts
Lol. To take on a $10M salary? Not happening. Buffalo is in a bind and will have to eat some salary
He’s not getting traded to nyr, no way he’s going to a division rival
Nope.
– T. Hall
Hall doesn’t have term left jacks gonna have a few years to destroy Buffalo if he is traded in the division. Don’t see Boston being able to afford Hall unless he taking a big discount to stay
I’m thinking hall has no choice but to take a big discount to play anywhere after this disastrous season. I doubt he gets more than 4mil.
LA would make most sense, they have a ton of pieces to make it happen and it’s out west, far from them.
Though I’d like the Habs to make a move there like Suzuki, Norlinder and 2 x 1st, don’t think it will happen
Kings but Byfield won’t be leading the package. Turcotte is going to be the centerpiece. Along with a 1st and another young C like JAD.
Or vilardi.
Best guess
1/2 firsts
Trucotte
Vilardi/jad
Kopitar
Eichel
Byfield
Those are a solid 3 lines of centers. Need to add some wings and defense in free agency. Future is bright
Byfield is the least Buffalo would ask for
Buffalo will not be getting Byfield
I’m sure David Poile will kick the tires on Eichel, but he can’t part with the few talented forward prospects he has and I don’t think Dmen prospects are what the Sabres want in return. So the never ending quest for a true #1 center will continue on Nashville. :/
LA doesn’t need another center. Would rather have Reinhart on RW or Risto on D. 2 bigger needs than C
EXACTLY! LA needs scoring wingers and LD, NOT another C
Rangers have an abundance to make a deal happen, but I’d prefer they stay the course and not overpay. Contract is an issue, meaning someone like Kreider or Trouba would have to be included due to the cap, and his herniated disc is a concern since he’s obviously not happy with the way Buffalo has managed his recovery. As talented as he is, I’d move with caution and not overpay.
I’d say this, if the Rangers did go after Eichel and needed to clear some cap space to do it, I’d love for the Preds to get Kreider. Could really use a power winger like that in their top 6.
he stays id bet.
Hope Stevie steers clear of a $10 million injured player.
Jack Roslovic and CBJ’s 3 first round picks, who says no?
What’s the worst thing Buffalo can do….
Keep Eichel, or trade him for nothing.
One of those two things will be the outcome.
I truly hope they turn it around, I’d like them to one day win a cup.
As an Oilers fan, I feel their pain.
Their cap situation seems like it would be an impossibility, but would it surprise anyone if Vegas were somehow able to swing something to land Jack Eichel? Seems like they are always in on every big fish available, and often enough land them!