The Eichel Trade Rumors have probably been the hottest ACGM post on this site for almost a month.
The Rangers have been considered the top suitor for Eichel, given their need and their abundance of assets.
So much of an abundance, that many believe they could acquire Eichel for a respectably combo of Picks and Prospects that don't include Lafreniere, Kakko, K'Andre or Lundkvist.
Obviously, Sabres fans don't agree. They think it will take an obscene amount of Premium pieces to pull off a trade. And I can't really blame them for asking. But I ask you, what other team are the Rangers betting against in this scenario?
I know the Kings have been considered the top competition. But based on their Future pieces, does it even make sense for them?
Besides still having Kopitar, their Prospect pool is already flush with Center Prospects. Byfield, Vilardi, Kupari, Turcotte, Madden, Thomas. Not all will pan out, or play with the Kings in the future. But with that much future depth at the position, you think they will give up 2 or 3 of them (with Draft picks) to just go and acquire another more expensive one?
There is no logic to it. If you trade on of those C's, you do it to beef up your D, or certain other areas of need. Not the position you're already teeming with potential talent. By that token, even with those tantalizing assets, I don't seriously consider the Kings as a contender for Eichel.
So if not them, then who? What other team will challenge the Rangers for Eichel's services, that meet the necessary criteria:
1) High end Picks and Prospects
2) Cap Room
3) A desperate need for someone at that position, that won't have to gut the rest of their team to acquire him.
4) A Team that will actually truly move into contention by pulling off the move.
I am curious to see what teams people realistically come up with.
And before some even try and fall back on "If we don't see a move we like we'll keep him" speech, just don't. He's getting moved over the Summer, plain and simple. The Sabres have no benefit of keeping him on the team. They aren't winning with him. He's disgruntled. They don't have a deep Prospect pool bringing reinforcements. Questions in Goal. The other veteran pieces that brought on as Band Aids will all be gone this year or the next. So the team around him will just get worse, anyways. You're just extending the same tired and distracting narrative of "OK, we trade him now? Not now. Maybe now?" for another year. No point. They aren't competing. They need assets. It's happening.
So is he moved to the Rangers? Or is he moved to the..........
Ducks will get Cap room from losing Getzlaf and Backes, yes. But are they really turning the corner anytime soon? Makes more sense for them to build through the Draft. Not really close.
You have Zegras (another C) as your future cornerstone. Makes no sense to move him at a longer and affordable rate for Eichel. What other pieces will they give up to the Sabres? While also looking to address D issues with Hampus and Manson nearing Free Agency.
Rangers are the prime target as they have the need for a C and good assets to buy one with.
Can think of 25 teams who absolutely could have use for a guy like Eichel.
Can think of less than 10 teams with the cap space to pull it off.
Can think of less than 5 teams with the assets to pull it off.
My two cents on it - Eichel will end up in Anaheim, Montreal, Ottawa, Vegas or New York.
ANA and OTT have deep prospect pools. They could splash out.
Vegas are in a dire need of a 1C if they once again meltdown during the playoffs. Their center core simply is not comparable to the competition, and they're known for splashing it out from time to time.
Then there's MTL, who has a GM, Bergevin, afraid of losing his GM seat. I could potentially see him make a big move to convince his team is about to contend - it's been a while for them after all.
Two random shots to throw in - Flames and Kings. If Flames miss the playoffs, they might be in for a retooling. I could see them looking to bring in a 1C that team has lacked for ages. As for Kings, they are known to have a solid 1C in the roster. Eichel could theoretically become a Kopitar replacement. Assuming it'll cost them Byfield, I'd still say a C pool of Eichel-Kopitar-Vilardi is one of the best in the league. Placing Turcotte to the wing in this example.
Rangers are the prime target as they have the need for a C and good assets to buy one with.
Can think of 25 teams who absolutely could have use for a guy like Eichel.
Can think of less than 10 teams with the cap space to pull it off.
Can think of less than 5 teams with the assets to pull it off.
My two cents on it - Eichel will end up in Anaheim, Montreal, Ottawa, Vegas or New York.
ANA and OTT have deep prospect pools. They could splash out.
Vegas are in a dire need of a 1C if they once again meltdown during the playoffs. Their center core simply is not comparable to the competition, and they're known for splashing it out from time to time.
Then there's MTL, who has a GM, Bergevin, afraid of losing his GM seat. I could potentially see him make a big move to convince his team is about to contend - it's been a while for them after all.
Two random shots to throw in - Flames and Kings. If Flames miss the playoffs, they might be in for a retooling. I could see them looking to bring in a 1C that team has lacked for ages. As for Kings, they are known to have a solid 1C in the roster. Eichel could theoretically become a Kopitar replacement. Assuming it'll cost them Byfield, I'd still say a C pool of Eichel-Kopitar-Vilardi is one of the best in the league. Placing Turcotte to the wing in this example.
And then there's Rangers.
Vegas has a dire Cap situation already. Even after dumping Stastny and Schmidt for Lehner and Pietrangelo. Tough to pull that off again.
I gave my 2 cents on the Kings, up above. And I feel like the Flames (like the Ducks) will be looking to Sell pieces soon rather than Buy.
Montreal is interesting, but their Center Depth isn't bad. Suzuki is a stud, and if Kotkaniemi improves, they already have a nice combo up top. Plus, depending who they might move in the process, I think the Cap hit will Eichel will press them a bit. Still don't think they can outbid the Rangers, but slightly intriguing.
Ottawa is in a good place now, but still building. Not in a spot right now to be going All In with a move like that. Especially with frugal ownership. They'll be patient and avoid a move like that for now.
You literally didn't read anything I wrote up above regarding the Kings, lol.
i mean sure, but i thought it was a pretty easy to think theyll give up one of their top C prospects for eichel. You hope one of those centres turns into something even as close to as good as what jack eichel is. if you can upgrade one to get to him you do it if the rest of the cost isint crazy, its definitely within the range of outcomes even though you think it's not, thats more what i was trying to say
If the Rangers don’t include a top prospect, they can easily be outbid, and most assuredly will. Without a premium prospect, anyone can match or beat your offer. Seeing as how you’re in the same conference and, currently, the same division, you’ll need to outbid anyone out west.
If the package doesn’t include a top prospect, how does it make the Sabres better? I know you think they have to trade him, but you’re wrong. You don’t trade an elite center just because you think you have to. You still need value. In the end, even if only one team is bidding, if it doesn’t benefit BOTH teams, the trade won’t happen.
Finally, while I think the chances of Jack being traded are higher than ever, I most definitely do not think it’s inevitable. The Sabres know that as long as they have him and a developing Cozens right behind him, they have a chance at turning it around.
Vegas has a dire Cap situation already. Even after dumping Stastny and Schmidt for Lehner and Pietrangelo. Tough to pull that off again.
I gave my 2 cents on the Kings, up above. And I feel like the Flames (like the Ducks) will be looking to Sell pieces soon rather than Buy.
Montreal is interesting, but their Center Depth isn't bad. Suzuki is a stud, and if Kotkaniemi improves, they already have a nice combo up top. Plus, depending who they might move in the process, I think the Cap hit will Eichel will press them a bit. Still don't think they can outbid the Rangers, but slightly intriguing.
Ottawa is in a good place now, but still building. Not in a spot right now to be going All In with a move like that. Especially with frugal ownership. They'll be patient and avoid a move like that for now.
I think the Wild fit the criteria. We have a deep prospect pool, our center depth is probably worst in the league, we have some space if Buffalo took Dumba in the package, and while Eichel may not necessarily put us over the top to be a contender, in a weak Western division we could do some damage.
Question is, is Guerin willing to give up a huge package to get him? Or would he rather stand pat and continue building through the draft?
I would do it. The Flames haven't had a #1C since Joe Nieuwendyk. With 5 years left, Eichel could easily be one of the best players that have ever played in Calgary
i mean sure, but i thought it was a pretty easy to think theyll give up one of their top C prospects for eichel. You hope one of those centres turns into something even as close to as good as what jack eichel is. if you can upgrade one to get to him you do it if the rest of the cost isint crazy, its definitely within the range of outcomes even though you think it's not, thats more what i was trying to say
It makes perfect sense from the Sabres perspective. You're losing a Center, so try and get back a Center. Simple.
But with that much depth, I don't see why the Kings would do it. Odds say at least 2 or 3 of them end up panning out. But even if none of the 5 reach the level of Eichel, you're giving up at least 3 lines of Premier Centers (possibly 4 with Kopitar) to improve your Top line. And without addressing needs at other areas.
The way the Kings are set up for the future, they can roll multiple lines with multiple Top End Centers. I just think they will find that a more logical course of action than to give up that incredible depth.
I would do it. The Flames haven't had a #1C since Joe Nieuwendyk. With 5 years left, Eichel could easily be one of the best players that have ever played in Calgary
You think he has a shot at top 5? Joe, Lanny and al are an afterthought rn
Right now, and barely. They have only $2.5 in space next year, with 18 players on the roster. Pretty tough trick to sneak $10M in there, even with some salary coming back.
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