The Jack Eichel saga has been the unfortunate headline all summer. Nothing has happened other than public frustration coming out of both the star player and the Buffalo Sabres, as they look for a solution to their failing marriage. Eichel disagrees with the Buffalo medical staff for his next treatment option, and an entire offseason was wasted without him getting any closer to getting back on the ice.
That could be changing though, as Darren Dreger of TSN tweets this morning that “both sides are hopeful” they can reach an agreement soon to trade Eichel to an interested team. Dreger notes that there has been additional access given to Eichel’s medical file, one of the biggest hurdles in any negotiation this summer. Teams that have interest simply can’t trade for a player of Eichel’s stature (and cost) without knowing exactly what his medicals say and making a decision on how they will move forward.
Remember, a trade doesn’t guarantee that Eichel gets to have the surgery he wants. His new team would then have the final decision just like Buffalo, though it follows logically that no one would spend the assets to acquire him without first knowing they can reach an agreement one way or the other. A $10MM cap hit is a tricky trade to pull off when the player is healthy, even tougher when he’s embroiled in a complicated medical battle.
One thing to note with any potential trade is that the Sabres must take back some salary of their own. The team would be under the salary cap floor without Eichel’s $10MM hit, meaning it can’t just be prospects and picks coming back. That would likely be the case anyway given there aren’t many teams who can slide in a cap hit as high as Eichel’s, but it is another complication to work through for the Sabres. Hopefully, this latest update will actually result in a trade of some sort, allowing both the player and the franchise to move forward.
Whichever team is willing to roll the dice on the surgery Eichel wants can probably sneak in and get him at a discount, but who’d be desperate enough (ie. GM is getting fired soon anyway if they don’t turn things around) to do it?
I’m looking at Bob Murray and Brad Treliving.
If Poile had guts and assets (which Nashville sorta lacks) I’d entertain the thought of maybe moving Tolvanen and Duchene + to acquire Eichel, could be a franchise altering move but lotta pieces are going to be needed to make the move work
If I’m BUF I’d want more to take back Duchene than I’d want for Eichel.
ANH should offer Mason McTavish and a pair a of seconds.
@Donovan Voigt – I agree. Tomasino is the only prospect I wouldn’t part with. This is a one time chance for Poile to acquire a game changing type forward. Certainly risky, but the Preds are currently directionless.
NYR
NYR appear to be leading contender. But at what cost?
If I’m Buffalo I’d ask for Zibanejad, kakko and conditional 1st (condition that Jack is good to go by Olympics or something). Then Buffalo Flips Mika for another 1st+
If I’m the Rangers I laugh at that! Your not getting a healthy number one center fir a question mark number 1 center! Plus Kaapo and a first? Are you drunk?
Buffalo just needs to take back around $6.5mil to safely be over the salary cap floor.
I heard the Sabres are looking for a 1st & 2 prospects.