Quoting: aedoran
Eichel's ppg this season 0.86. The only Chicago players with a higher ppg were Kane and DeBrincat. I do agree that his bad back will bring his value down but just like signing UFAs someone is always willing to overpay.
Kane also had a down season as he said in his exit interview and has been injured the entire year, his goal totals took a big slump as such and the eye test would say he definitely didn't look himself for a third of more of the games. Nonetheless, Eichel is no Kane so far, and likely never will be that high of an "elite" talent...very few players ever are in that category (Matthews, Crosby, McDavid, Ovy types of players).
Cat showed this season he's a dynamic all around two way guy, very good defensively also while putting up over a ppg and being on pace for 50 goals scored, Eichel hasn't yet proven that kind of complete player yet despite being a year older and 2 more NHL seasons under his belt. I just don't see Cat for Eichel a good trade for the Hawks; I'd rather have Cat on my team even if Eichel was healthy given the major step Debrincat took as a all-around player; just don't think the Hawks should entertain that trade.
I do see Dach, a 1st, and a player like Reichel, Kubalik, Strome, or Suter as fair value for Eichel. That said, to a rebuilding team like the Hawks, are 3 very good A (A-) young assets equal to one franchise player? I don't think so personally but on paper the value is there for Buffalo who's in a complete crap show organizationally. If Eichel wants out, he clearly does, that won't end up well for Buffalo if they don't move him and (3) A/A- young assets, just like in the Hawks situation, is more valuable then 1 franchise asset who is whining and crying about being in Buffalo. I'm sure there is a team that will give up (4) A (A-) assets but not as easy to do given those teams that have those attractive assets are rebuilding themselves. NYR is likely the best candidate, maybe Detroit.
Buffalo is simply in a bad spot and the organization has been such a disaster in how they draft, develop talent, and who they bring in as UFA or trades and for how much. At this point, no player wants to play in Buffalo which ultimately costs the organization. Until they can change that, they are in a dark hole and it starts with handling their young talent pool better.