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..........
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.
yeah i dont totally disagree, but if Buffalo comes to them and says byfield and a small package for eichel i just dont know how they say no, jack eichel is probably a top 5 most valuable player in the NHL if you ask me. For all trade partners i think its similar, maybe LA wont give up a bunch of mid tier prospects like NYR would, but if buffalo wants a top prospect in return LA is definitely a viable landing spot
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.
It works just fine actually, krebs makes a jump to the top 9 and they're 4 deep down the middle (glass being in the deal)
Kings, Ducks, Wild, Ottawa and even Colorado could easily put together packages that could be better than what New York is offering. The perception that NYR are gonna get Eichel for Lemieux, Strome, and a 1st is so wrong
Kings, Ducks, Wild, Ottawa and even Colorado could easily put together packages that could be better than what New York is offering. The perception that NYR are gonna get Eichel for Lemieux, Strome, and a 1st is so wrong
My dude nobody has said that you can stop being annoying now
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.
It is inevitable because when you guys don’t make the playoffs once in the the next 5 years Eichel walks for free
Kings, Ducks, Wild, Ottawa and even Colorado could easily put together packages that could be better than what New York is offering. The perception that NYR are gonna get Eichel for Lemieux, Strome, and a 1st is so wrong
Wasn't implying the Rangers would offer a bag of jock straps for Eichel. The offer would still be substantial.
But given their over abundance of young assets, along with my skepticism as to what other teams would legitimately be able to make a run at Eichel (hence my reason for opening up this post), I simply stated that a solid package could be made by the Rangers that wouldn't require every High End piece they have. And that those other teams still may not/not want to be able to top it.
It is inevitable because when you guys don’t make the playoffs once in the the next 5 years Eichel walks for free
Seriously? They should trade him now because they’ll lose him in FIVE years if they don’t make the playoffs before then??? That’s weak and illogical. I’m not saying he won’t be traded, but he won’t be given away for less than he’s worth because they might lose him not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, but 5 years from now.
Seriously? They should trade him now because they’ll lose him in FIVE years if they don’t make the playoffs before then??? That’s weak and illogical. I’m not saying he won’t be traded, but he won’t be given away for less than he’s worth because they might lose him not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, but 5 years from now.
You do you booboo but either way Buffalo is getting fleeced
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