Joined: Apr. 2017
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The Eichel package is about as close as you can get to a real package posted here. NYR is basically trading 1OA (who is a winger), a top 2 dman (he's probably a 1.5D, that on-ice shooting percentage is WAY above average which has helped contribute to his point totals, he could definitely get to 1A dman status though), and a #2 C for a 1C player.
At 23, Eichel is going to get better (he's not at his peak yet), while Laf won't get to Eichel level for at least 5 years (Laf is not in the Matthews/McDavid level, but above the Hirscher level), Eichel has also never played with the same level of talent NYR has on their team, imagine him with Panarin on his wing and what numbers he could put up. BUF needs to be looking a few years out if they move Eichel, which they'd do with Laf.
If I'm NYR, I don't do the trade. I think you've seen from this past SCF that depth is key, you need 4 lines to contribute, and you'd eat up some of that depth with this trade. I'd take your cash and look to add talent on lines 2-4, and also look to the future for contracts (Fox will need one soon, Kakko, etc). I don't think Eichel makes them a contender.