let me preface this before the pitchforks and torches start coming out:
- this started as a 'what would it take to acquire a 1C', and then developed into this mess
- the Rangers are currently in a great position with respect to their team, their future, and their cap situation, so this is a hypothetical "what if management wanted to go for it right now" look
- this is also a hypothetical "Eichel has had enough and wants out" ultimatum look, which from an outsider's perspective looks closer every year
- Jack Eichel is a truly elite player
- I ran this by a Sabres fan, who said and I quote, "bro, that's a steal for Buffalo" but tbh, I didn't believe him, so blame them for this if anything
Obviously, the big trade first. Again in this scenario, a) Eichel wants out ASAP and b) Rangers decide to go for it. The Rangers have plenty of assets that they can afford to part with, and the Sabres make the best of a bad situation, and set their timeline back another year or two. They get 2/3 of a future dominant top line in Lafreniere and Kakko (Cozens in between?). They get a young 1B who can push Ullmark, and the loser can be flipped once UPL is ready. They get a 50 point defenceman (albbeit with a checkered past) and they also get a young defender who can try to challenge for McCabe's spot. Staal only has a year left, and is there to offset the cap (Buffalo is projected to start next year under the cap floor). There's no way for both sides to fairly agree what is equivalent value; i though two top-2 picks, a top 4 defender, and some youthful pieces would be as close as you can get, especially considering cap constraints with the flattened cap.
Other trades:
- Mete is stuck in Montreal behind Chiarot/Kulak/Edmundson/Romanov, so this gives him a fresh start with regular playing time
- TB has 5M to re-sign Cirelli and Sergachev, not to mention filling a lot of bottom-pair/fourth line holes, so Cernak is a casualty - they get Andersson back at least as a reclamation project, and a third too
- Smith as a cap dump - also only one year left
Signings:
- Strome and Fast at basically their existing deals - again, flat cap means smaller contract growth
Misc.
- there's still 3.6M for depth, or potential FA upgrades, in case Krav isn't ready for a top 6 role - deals signed were short term, as Hank's deal is up next year and that's a lot of money available for better deals if young guys like Cernak and Mete prove themselves. Plus, the core is locked up long term so no need to worry until Fox and Zibby are up.
- Carolina's first/Miller/Robertson means there can still be some young guys coming through in the future too - no more dealing firsts every year!
Ur giving both of Kakko and Lafrenière and more for Eichel
As I said in the preface, this is in a world where Eichel wants out and the Rangers feel as if they can contend right away. If I'm the Rangers right now, I ride with the youngsters and go from there. But, I will say, Eichel is arguably a top ten player in the league - guys like him aren't and shouldn't easy to acquire.
As I said in the preface, this is in a world where Eichel wants out and the Rangers feel as if they can contend right away. If I'm the Rangers right now, I ride with the youngsters and go from there. But, I will say, Eichel is arguably a top ten player in the league - guys like him aren't and shouldn't easy to acquire.
I get what ur saying. But I'd only be willing to part with one for those pieces, that just feels like a big overpay
I get what ur saying. But I'd only be willing to part with one for those pieces, that just feels like a big overpay
Fair enough - it's hard to accurately assess what Eichel's trade value is, because we've never really seen a player of his calibre moved as he's approaching his peak (in a modern context, at least). You also have the known quantity vs. future potential debate, as well as the quantity vs. quality debate - it's why I posted it, it was an interesting thought experiment that started this all and I'm curious to see the general reaction.
I get what ur saying. But I'd only be willing to part with one for those pieces, that just feels like a big overpay
I know how you are feeling with giving up 2 big pieces but think what you are getting and what the Rangers would have up the middle...wingers are a hell of a lot easier to acquire then a top center like Eichel.
Zibs and Eichel up the middle is tough to beat.
That’s beyond ridiculous for Eichel. If he wants out that’s his problem for signing an 8 year deal in Buffalo. Realistically it’s one of Kakko or Laf not both. Our wing depth just got awful when ur talking about the potential we’re giving up. We aren’t contending till our young defense prospects can step into the top 4 (Miller, Robertson and Lundkvist to go along with Fox). And then you want DeAngelo and Georgiev. Why don’t you go ahead and trade the entire team while ur at it. Awful trade for the Rangers!!!
I like it. Rarely seeing teams on here willing to overpay to get their guy.
Truth is, if Eichel hit the open market, the bidding war would be insane. I think if you took Kakko out, that would probably my be “fair” but you could still be outbid. Think of teams like LAK, MTL, OTT that have prospect depth but no top guy.
I’d probably keep Kakko, add Kravstov...and take on some salary for Buffalo. MoJo maybe.
Eichal is better/more valuable than Zibs, so no I wouldn't. I'd rather have both Laf or eichal than Zibs
So then you would throw Zibs in as part of the trade? Honestly I've been wondering what fair value is for Eichel if he was to be traded. In the original trade there isn't a center that would be coming back which I think would be essential in any trade of Eichel considering the Sabres are looking for a 2C so trading their 1C means a center needs to come back.
So then you would throw Zibs in as part of the trade? Honestly I've been wondering what fair value is for Eichel if he was to be traded. In the original trade there isn't a center that would be coming back which I think would be essential in any trade of Eichel considering the Sabres are looking for a 2C so trading a 1C means a center needs to come back.
zibs+Laf for eichal? ya fat chance. maybe rangers add a little to Laf for Eichal, but definitely not Zib. Laf is gonna be a star.
zibs+Laf for eichal? ya fat chance. maybe rangers add a little to Laf for Eichal, but definitely not Zib. Laf is gonna be a star.
no...I'm saying Zibs would have to be part of the return. Not that all the above parts should be in the trade but Zibs would be the main part coming back
This is so stupid can't even bother lol Like here have my 24 year old 2nd overall (Head Case) for your 1st overall, 2nd overall, Potential starting Goalie, Top PP quarterback Def, Rookie Def ... and then claim its fair cause my 2nd overall pick is already proven lol He's proven he's a career -60 and should learn to back-check and help out that Def. To be freak with ya there is no way in hell i'd trade this year 1st overall pick for Eichel str8 up.
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