My take on a potential path

Team: 2021-22 Buffalo Sabres

Initial Creation Date: May 16, 2021

Published: May 16, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

First a disclaimer...I'm not a Sabres fan (not sure how many there are anymore...at least publicly) so if my values for some RFAs I don't know as well are a little off forgive me.

That being said, I do believe I pay attention and read enough to know the value of most of the players. I think a lot of people doing AGMs have also hyped up Eichel's (and Reinhart's to a lesser extent) trade value...which is different than his potential actual value. There are some things that hurt his value.

1. He wants out. With guys as good as Eichel, that doesn't necessarily take away much from their value (see the NBA, albeit with different trade rules), but it does to an extent. The best way for Adams to accrue some lost value in the corner he's backed into is to make this trade an auction for interested suitors.

2. His injury history and treatment. I know Eichel's intent on getting healthy, but injury history, especially serious injuries, can't help but hurt a player's value, especially when compounded by the confusing and controversial treatment of him and his injury by the Sabres (drama or not, it hurts his value).

3. Finally, their (Reinhart and Eichel's) play. Let me be specific though, since they are both great players, and Eichel could still be a top 10 player. First, Eichel wasn't lights out before he was injured, and yes it was partially because of an injured rib, but I think he's been demystified a bit. He'll never be close to McDavid like some thought, and he also might not be the franchise leader everyone thinks he should be. He will be a top player on most teams, but might not be 'the' guy, like Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, Matthews, etc. Reinhart similarly, is a great player, but as great as he was down the stretch as the 1C, fans who think that that makes him a coveted Center trade target I think are misguided. 15-20 games of playing decent as a 1C does not make him an automatic one on even some rebuilding teams. I think it's more likely he plays wing wherever he goes, since he's likely to go to a competitor. Additionally, not that it matters much, but a reminder that they'll be trading Reinhart's RFA rights.

In sum, after reading and listening and trying to be realistic, I think the value for Eichel is not 5 good players/prospects and 4 quality picks like some fans have been saying for months. I think Buffalo is looking for younger players yes, but I think they're going for higher quality play-now players as well. I think there will be fewer draft picks in either trade than most people think.

On a non-trade-related note, I've said for a long time that Dahlin is going to be incredible, even if he's had a weak season. He's amazing, but I do think the Sabres and Dahlin do a bridge deal that retains his RFA status for his next contract. For the Sabres it allows them to foster his growth more to discern his long-term value instead of jumping in too fast, and for Dahlin's camp it allows him to boost his value for a long term contract (potentially $10 million instead of like 6 or 7). To a lesser extent I think the same thing will happen to Mittelstadt to avoid a Colin White scenario.

Anyways, here we go. Try not to destroy me but critique me please.

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