Certainly not good. I feel you.

There's an instant pain, and no playoff hopes intially. However, a good GM could flip this around. I see this, with some luck, being a benficial trade.

Hear me out.
1. Boston is set, no more need to discuss them. Probably gonna hoist the cup with the addition if they can figure out cap space.
2. Buffalo isn't looking good. Rough and unproven players. There is hidden value here. The two second round picks with probably be sitting around the 50-60 overall ranges. So you might get lucky there.
3. Buffalo can't keep the players, they are going to have to flip them. Trade them, plus some to other teams. GAIN DRAFT PICKS. Shoot for 1st and 2nd round picks. The Sabres are going to tank HARD in the following years, which will give them a VERY high draft pick with thier own picks. If they can sneak a few extra 1st round picks they could set up a pretty good, and young team for the future.
4. Buffalo just blew thier cap space wide open, snag a few good UFAs in the offseason and that will help bring a verteran presence for the incoming youngsters.

However, it would be a work of magic to make all that work.

This is a joke, right? The Sabres would never trade Eichel for that package. It’s an EASY no. Keep in mind, Eichel isn’t the problem, can’t be replaced, and most importantly, isn’t available. They need a #2 center and better depth. Not a giant hole at 1C

I agree