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If the team is losing Eichel you have to get young center in return

Created by: CapFriendlysFinest
Team: 2021-22 Buffalo Sabres
Initial Creation Date: May 12, 2021
Published: May 12, 2021
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
This is a response to my first post about Buffalo not trading Jack this season. And yet, everyone assumes he's gone. So if he is traded, these would be my steps.

If you trade Eichel, you MUST be getting a young, possibly elite center back. I would look at Hughes, Pettersen, Neces or so on. These players have the skill to be similar to a player like Eichel. In this case I selected the Devils and Hughes. I also made sure it was an OVERPAY by the Devils. If I am Buffalo, I take noting less than an overpay for Eichel.

The second thing I would look at after getting a young center back is to continue to work on the center depth position. Early I suggested that Buffalo looks at Ryan Johnasan but some people said why trade when you're rebuilding which is true. I would look at someone like Danualt who is great defensively with some offence. He can play that number two role nicely with someone like Skinner, Reinhart or other on his wing. You will need to overpay in FA for whatever 2nd line center comes to Buffalo.

Third is selling off players who you don't think need to be here. This would look at people like Risto, Reinhart, Girgensons who have played for Buffalo for a while who need out. I would 100 percent move Risto even for small change. If you trade Jack, you might be even worst this year, lowering Ristos already low value. Move him at the draft for whatever you can. Sam is the tough one here, he is a great goal scorer who has always produced in Buffalo. His value is high, and would only move again for a small overpay (cough I'm looking at you Vancouver)

Finally your last two steps fall on Defence and Goalies like my last team I made. Go out and get a bunch of stay at home defence and more than one back up goalie when Ullmark eventually gets hurt. You won't be great offensively but you could have a better time of keeping the puck out of your net.

Overall, this offseason is going to be wild for Saber's fans. I just hope one day this team can get back to being elite in the Atlantic.
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
6$6,500,000
3$4,500,000
2$1,500,000
2$1,500,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
5$4,000,000
4$5,500,000
3$4,250,000
3$3,250,000
2$3,000,000
1$750,000
1$750,000
2$2,000,000
Trades
1.
BUF
  1. 2022 2nd round pick (LAK)
  2. 2022 5th round pick (LAK)
Additional Details:
A deal that doesn't see a huge return but Risto needed to be moved.
LAK
  1. Ristolainen, Rasmus ($1,400,000 retained)
Additional Details:
This deal can help place the Kings on their right hand side. Doughty takes top stop and this allows more growing room for Roy on the third pair. Risto could be signed to a long term extension over even traded. I like this deal for the Kings however, they need to extra scoring on the backend.
2.
BUF
  1. Boqvist, Jesper
  2. Hughes, Jack
  3. Johnsson, Andreas
  4. 2021 1st round pick (NJD)
  5. 2022 2nd round pick (NJD)
Additional Details:
Sabers get a huge return with Hughes and Boqvist. Hughes has the skill to get to an 80 point player however it has yet to be seen in long flashes. Johnsson is taken back in a cap move. 1st and second round picks help stock cupboards
NJD
  1. Eichel, Jack
  2. Thompson, Tage
  3. 2021 3rd round pick (FLA)
  4. 2021 6th round pick (COL)
Additional Details:
Devils get what they hope Hughes can be. An elite scoring center. This also Hischer to play second line role and help his scoring to take up a level too.
3.
BUF
SEA
  1. Eakin, Cody
  2. 2022 3rd round pick (BUF)
Buyouts
Retained Salary Transactions
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2021
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the NJD
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BOS
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
2022
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the LAK
Logo of the NJD
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the LAK
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
2023
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
25$81,500,000$74,267,249$113,916$3,782,500$7,232,751
Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Skinner, Jeff
$9,000,000$9,000,000
LW, RW
NMC
UFA - 6
Logo of the New Jersey Devils
Hughes, Jack
$925,000$925,000 (Performance Bonus$2,850,000$3M)
C
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Olofsson, Victor
$3,050,000$3,050,000
RW, LW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Cozens, Dylan
$894,167$894,167 (Performance Bonus$850,000$850K)
C, LW
UFA - 2
Danault, Phillip
$5,500,000$5,500,000
C
UFA - 6
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Reinhart, Sam
$6,500,000$6,500,000
RW
UFA - 3
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Bjork, Anders
$1,600,000$1,600,000
LW, RW
UFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Mittelstadt, Casey
$1,500,000$1,500,000
LW, C
RFA - 3
Logo of the New Jersey Devils
Boqvist, Jesper
$925,000$925,000
C, LW
RFA - 1
Logo of the New Jersey Devils
Johnsson, Andreas
$3,400,000$3,400,000
LW, RW
UFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Girgensons, Zemgus
$2,200,000$2,200,000
LW, C
UFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Okposo, Kyle
$6,000,000$6,000,000
RW
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Dahlin, Rasmus
$4,500,000$4,500,000
LD/RD
UFA - 3
Savard, David
$4,250,000$4,250,000
RD
UFA - 4
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Ullmark, Linus
$4,000,000$4,000,000
G
UFA - 4
Cole, Ian
$3,250,000$3,250,000
LD/RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Jokiharju, Henri
$1,500,000$1,500,000
RD
RFA - 3
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
McCabe, Jake
$3,000,000$3,000,000
LD/RD
UFA - 4
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Miller, Colin
$3,875,000$3,875,000
RD
UFA - 1
Brossoit, Laurent
$2,000,000$2,000,000
G
UFA - 2
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Ruotsalainen, Arttu
$925,000$925,000
C, LW
RFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Bryson, Jacob
$889,166$889,166
LD/RD
RFA - 1
McKegg, Greg
$750,000$750,000
C, LW
UFA - 1
Hunt, Brad
$750,000$750,000
LD/RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
Luukkonen, Ukko-Pekka
$778,333$778,333 (Performance Bonus$82,500$82K)
G
RFA - 1

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May 12, 2021 at 4:16 p.m.
#1
Devil
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Rather have Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes over Eichel
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May 12, 2021 at 4:16 p.m.
#2
NYRxLundqvist
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Haha you think NJ is giving up Hughes two years after being draft #1 OA lol
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May 12, 2021 at 4:18 p.m.
#3
Ledge_And_Dairy
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There is no chance in hell you are getting Jack Hughes. Maybe Rossi or McMichael but not a Hughes or Byfield. You have to draft that talent
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May 12, 2021 at 4:20 p.m.
#4
CapFriendlysFinest
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Ok so i'm be real honest here. No cap right now, you're building a team. You have the choice between Eichel, Hughes or Bayfield, who does everyone take?
May 12, 2021 at 4:22 p.m.
#5
tkecanuck341
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Quoting: CapFriendlysFinest
Ok so i'm be real honest here. No cap right now, you're building a team. You have the choice between Eichel, Hughes or Bayfield, who does everyone take?


Hughes. Youngest with highest ceiling.
May 12, 2021 at 4:25 p.m.
#6
CapFriendlysFinest
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Quoting: tkecanuck341
Hughes. Youngest with highest ceiling.


I really can't debate that, in two seasons he's been great but not the level that Eichel was in his first two. Eichel had triple and double the points that Hughes did in his first two seasons while playing on a worst points wise Buffalo team. Eichel is the right size for a number one center, I would argue plays a better defensive game and has a better shot. All hughes has over Eichel is the pure skill which again, you can look at alot of players doesn't always pan out (and no, I am not calling Hughes a bust by any means)
May 12, 2021 at 4:31 p.m.
#7
mhockey91
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Quoting: CapFriendlysFinest
Ok so i'm be real honest here. No cap right now, you're building a team. You have the choice between Eichel, Hughes or Bayfield, who does everyone take?


Eichel easily
May 12, 2021 at 4:35 p.m.
#8
NYRxLundqvist
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Quoting: CapFriendlysFinest
Ok so i'm be real honest here. No cap right now, you're building a team. You have the choice between Eichel, Hughes or Bayfield, who does everyone take?


I don’t think you can compare the 3 Hughes and Eichel sure but byfields size is going to him being a good defensive center. Hughes is on a better contract for next and probably won’t get 10m for his second contract
May 12, 2021 at 4:44 p.m.
#9
Tyler_A10
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Quoting: tkecanuck341
Hughes. Youngest with highest ceiling.


Jack Hughes does not have a higher ceiling than Eichel. If draft eligible Eichel was in the 2019 class, hes the #1 pick easily. You only consider Hughes to be a slam dunk franchise talent because he was drafted first. Even if Hughes had a higher ceiling than Eichel, it doesn't change the fact that Eichel IS what you want Hughes to become
May 12, 2021 at 5:07 p.m.
#10
tkecanuck341
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Quoting: CapFriendlysFinest
I really can't debate that, in two seasons he's been great but not the level that Eichel was in his first two. Eichel had triple and double the points that Hughes did in his first two seasons while playing on a worst points wise Buffalo team. Eichel is the right size for a number one center, I would argue plays a better defensive game and has a better shot. All hughes has over Eichel is the pure skill which again, you can look at alot of players doesn't always pan out (and no, I am not calling Hughes a bust by any means)



Quoting: Tyler_A10
Jack Hughes does not have a higher ceiling than Eichel. If draft eligible Eichel was in the 2019 class, hes the #1 pick easily. You only consider Hughes to be a slam dunk franchise talent because he was drafted first. Even if Hughes had a higher ceiling than Eichel, it doesn't change the fact that Eichel IS what you want Hughes to become


If Eichel was 5 years younger, I'd take Eichel over Hughes. But he's not, so I wouldn't.
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May 12, 2021 at 5:20 p.m.
#11
CD282
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Quoting: CapFriendlysFinest
Ok so i'm be real honest here. No cap right now, you're building a team. You have the choice between Eichel, Hughes or Bayfield, who does everyone take?


Eichel > Byfield > Hughes
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May 12, 2021 at 5:25 p.m.
#12
Wadejos123
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Quoting: CapFriendlysFinest
Ok so i'm be real honest here. No cap right now, you're building a team. You have the choice between Eichel, Hughes or Bayfield, who does everyone take?


eichel>byfield>hughes
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May 12, 2021 at 5:33 p.m.
#13
RClay321
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Quoting: CapFriendlysFinest
Ok so i'm be real honest here. No cap right now, you're building a team. You have the choice between Eichel, Hughes or Bayfield, who does everyone take?


Give me Hughes, Eichel has never won in the NHL. I know he hasn't had the best support but at some point you have to elevate people around you. Hughes is younger as well
May 12, 2021 at 5:51 p.m.
#14
Tyler_A10
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Quoting: RClay321
Give me Hughes, Eichel has never won in the NHL. I know he hasn't had the best support but at some point you have to elevate people around you. Hughes is younger as well


Didnt he literally get Jeff Skinner a 9 million dollar contract because Skinner got 40 goals on his line. He elevates the talent around him. It’s just a problem when you’re only one person.
May 12, 2021 at 6:10 p.m.
#15
RClay321
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Quoting: Tyler_A10
Didnt he literally get Jeff Skinner a 9 million dollar contract because Skinner got 40 goals on his line. He elevates the talent around him. It’s just a problem when you’re only one person.


What has Skinner done since
May 12, 2021 at 6:18 p.m.
#16
tkecanuck341
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Quoting: Tyler_A10
Didnt he literally get Jeff Skinner a 9 million dollar contract because Skinner got 40 goals on his line. He elevates the talent around him. It’s just a problem when you’re only one person.


Skinner put up similar goals and point totals in Carolina just a couple seasons prior, so it's not like he's Jonathan Cheechoo playing with Joe Thornton. Skinner was already a good player whose play dropped off a cliff after his first season in Buffalo.
May 12, 2021 at 6:20 p.m.
#17
Tyler_A10
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Quoting: RClay321
What has Skinner done since


Nothing. The Sabres stopped playing him with Eichel. He has half the goals he had that year in the last 2 years combined
May 12, 2021 at 6:23 p.m.
#18
Tyler_A10
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Quoting: tkecanuck341
Skinner put up similar goals and point totals in Carolina just a couple seasons prior, so it's not like he's Jonathan Cheechoo playing with Joe Thornton. Skinner was already a good player whose play dropped off a cliff after his first season in Buffalo.


He’s a good player, but a complimentary piece, and he was at his best playing next to an elite center like Eichel. That is the definition of getting the most out of your linemates. They were split and Eichel stayed amazing while Skinner sucked the last 2 years.
May 12, 2021 at 6:27 p.m.
#19
tkecanuck341
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Quoting: Tyler_A10
He’s a good player, but a complimentary piece, and he was at his best playing next to an elite center like Eichel. That is the definition of getting the most out of your linemates. They were split and Eichel stayed amazing while Skinner sucked the last 2 years.


But my point was that it doesn't take an Eichel to get the best out of Skinner. He did just as well in Carolina without him. He might not be able to produce when paired with scrubs, but who's to say that Hughes or Byfield couldn't drive him to similar production.
May 12, 2021 at 6:31 p.m.
#20
Tyler_A10
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Quoting: tkecanuck341
But my point was that it doesn't take an Eichel to get the best out of Skinner. He did just as well in Carolina without him. He might not be able to produce when paired with scrubs, but who's to say that Hughes or Byfield couldn't drive him to similar production.


I have no doubt he could play well alongside a prime Byfield or prime Hughes, but they aren’t there right now. We saw how Skinner played when a young Mittlestadt was his center. It wasn’t great. Obviously Byfield and Hughes are more talented than Mittlestadt but there’s nothing that says Skinner would succeed alongside a young Hughes or Byfield
May 12, 2021 at 6:39 p.m.
#21
tkecanuck341
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Quoting: Tyler_A10
I have no doubt he could play well alongside a prime Byfield or prime Hughes, but they aren’t there right now. We saw how Skinner played when a young Mittlestadt was his center. It wasn’t great. Obviously Byfield and Hughes are more talented than Mittlestadt but there’s nothing that says Skinner would succeed alongside a young Hughes or Byfield


Sure. But the question wasn't "what gives me the best team this year?" The question was "I'm building a team from scratch. Which player do I want?"

If you're telling me to put together the best 2021-22 team with no regard for the future, then I take Eichel. If you're telling me to start a franchise that needs to be perpetually competitive, then I take Hughes.
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