The Jack Eichel trade was “on the one-yard line” yesterday according to Emily Kaplan of ESPN, with the Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames listed as finalists. Both clubs have agreed to allow Eichel to have the artificial disk replacement that he wants, but obviously, the Buffalo Sabres are trying to get the best package possible in return before accepting a trade.
If you were wondering what kind of package could get it done, Kevin Weekes of ESPN tweets that it is his understanding that the Flames have Matthew Tkachuk, an upcoming first-round selection, a player who was a first-round pick, and two prospects on the table. In any Eichel deal, a big-ticket salary (or several smaller ones) would have to be included, not only to open up cap space for the acquiring team but also to get the Sabres over the cap floor. Remember, Eichel is not yet on long-term injured reserve, meaning any acquiring team would need to have the space under the cap to land him before moving him off the roster.
Tkachuk of course would be that big-ticket, especially given his upcoming qualifying offer. When his current three-year, $21MM deal expires at the end of this season, whichever team has his rights will have to issue him a $9MM qualifying offer to retain them. At that point, given Tkachuk has already played in six seasons, he could simply accept the one-year, $9MM deal or go to arbitration to secure a contract that walks him right into unrestricted free agency in 2023.
Eichel isn’t expected to be ready to play for several months after the surgery is performed, meaning whoever does end up with him isn’t getting any help right away. The Golden Knights are dealing with quite a few injuries already, while the Flames are currently 6-1-2 and tied for first place in the Pacific Division. It’s hard to fathom either one making a huge splash right now, but reports have continued to indicate that a deal is on the horizon.
Flames head coach Darryl Sutter meanwhile isn’t giving up any information. When asked about the Eichel speculation today, he told reporters that he’s not aware of any talks and believes it is “just a media thing.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Hopefully not chucky
Sutter a genius.
That Calgary deal sounds like a can’t lose for Buffalo. Take that or never have him play for you again and get nothing, seems like an easy choice
I read an offer of mang zary first lower end prospect and someone else to cover the money hopefully mony
Tkachuk, 2 firsts and 2 prospects for eichel? Madness. With his injury and contract, wowzers. I’ll give you tarasenko and a prospect for that same calgary package lol. Why don’t the flames just try to resign Tkachuk and keep their picks and prospects?
u ok Calgary?
Trev wants to test Steve dangles theory that Canadian teams GMs is the most secure position in sports
…and Buffalo didn’t take that offer? I get Tkachuk could take off in a couple of years, but it’s still better than the current situation they’re in.
They would easily flip chucks for a 1st and big time prospect. Would essentially be Jack for 3 high end prospects and 2 firsts and a guy recently drafted so in 1st so one of Cornato,Zary or Pelletier. Would be a fleecing forsure
Could take tkachuk and flip him for more picks or prospects if they really want to blow things up
It must be that Vegas is just as close or Adams is giving Vegas one last shot. I agree if that’s the offer Buffalo should take it and run but Maybe it’s not Zary that’s the previous 1st selection where maybe Vegas is offering up Krebs. Tough choice imo.
I don’t understand why anyone would help Buffalo out of the mess they’ve made. It’s one thing if Buffalo was giving him away for cheap but what the heck are the Flames doing? And why wouldn’t Buffalo jump on that?
Almost makes me think there’s either more coming back to Calgary then just jack or the rumour is bogus. Cause Vegas is like oh you want our top prospect go pound sand. Calgary meanwhile is like here’s our best forward, prospect, upancomer our 1st rounder and then some.
How is Buffalo in a mess?
All you are hearing are reports coming from people & not actual facts.
Eichel wanted to get paid & took a 8 year max offer. He could have done the Matthew T. thing & been in control the whole time.
Since when is Kevin Weekes a insider?
Weeksie has had good inside intell and has made several scoops this past year on NHL.TV. He has a great presence and perspective and seems to have a strong inside track with the players and team management.
For Chrissake, the Calgary office would have to be smoking banana leaves soaked in fentanyl to even so much as consider Tkachuk for Eichel straight up, never mind give Buffalo MORE.
If Weekes is right Tkachuk,,Zary or Pelletier and Ruzicka also Mackey. That’s my thoughts…for Eichel wow…Jackie boy when healthy better put up many 100pt seasons…. Vegas realize they can match that…krebs and Hague have to be part of it….if I was Buffalo I would want Thoedore for sure…
Thachuk is better than a damaged Eichel. barely worse when Eichel is healthy.
I’m no Flames fan. In fact I hate them, but I am not sure this is a bad deal for them.
It will depend upon the prospects, but lets face it we tend to overvalue them. 1/2 of them likely dont make it. The first could turn out to be nothing.
Tkachuk wore out his welcome last year. He will be RFA and his camp drives a hard bargain.
I still like it from BUF’s perspective but its not a home run. Eichel is good (if healthy).
My anonymous sources tell me that there’s no way this deal gets made. ;)
Eichel to Rangers for Kakko , Kravtsov and Jones.
Rangers trade Eichel, Reunanen, Gauthier & Barro for
Tkachuk &
& Barron for Tkachuk and Coronato
My guess is that the Flames don’t feel comfortable paying Tkachuk $9 million a season going forward & would prefer to just pay $1 million a season more for a number one center. Of course, Eichel has to be healty for him to be a number one center. If he is, I get why they might prefer to put that money into a center rather than a winger. They do have Gaudreau & Mangiapane that are free agents at the end of the season and maybe they’d just prefer to try to retain them & have Eichel than invest their money on Tkachuk.