I think if Turcotte is in the trade and not Byfield, then a solid wing prospect/player needs to come along. Kupari, Arthur, ****emo, Kempe. I still like the idea of Turcotte, Kempe, Roy/Walker, and a first, preferably this yr if None of Kupari, Arthur, or ****emo are included.

I'd like to remain patient as well, but Doughty said what others (i.e. Kopitar) are likely thinking, that the team needs help now...

None of those NHLers have any value to Buffalo, aside maybe Wagner. Eichel isnt getting moved for players on their way to Europe in a season or 2

I agree that's the current narrative, but do you think real GMs see it this way? Eichel IS what we hope Byfield WILL become. I am erroring on the side of the known commodity...

Turcotte, Kempe, Walker, and 2021 - 1st (not a lottery pick) is gross to accept but it's fair for both teams.

For the Kings: Kempe's points are more than offset by the acquisition of Eichel, Walker can/will be eventually be replaced with Faber, and most importantly the Kings have: Kopitar-Eichel-Byfield-Vilardi up the middle. The team might not be able to obtain a high priced defenseman but the pros beat out the cons.

The Sabres: Obtain a #1 center prospect who is more team-oriented (Jonathan Toews like player), $10M cap space, a top-10 pick in the 2021 draft, and a budget 20+ goal scorer who will be RFA in Kempe.

I would not fault Blake for this trade.

Doughty was frustrated he also claimed the team was fine defensively even though they were 11th worst and 9th worst in goals against and shots against per game. This was a prove it year to see what prospects can make the jump to the NHL: Andersen, Bjornfot, JAD, Moore, and Anderssen graduated, while Grundstrom, Luff, Wagner, Strand, and Clauge are still on the bubble. He knew what a rebuild was, the team may make a big swing but it will likely be for a top-6 winger or a vet d-man for a no more than 2 years until some more of these prospects are ready.

I think Walker and Athanasiou are legit NHLers, but fair if those aren't pieces you think fit the Sabres.

I agree, i think it's fair for both sides. If you would have asked me last season if I would be interested in this deal for Eichel, I would have said no. But with the ongoing speculation of his departure and the "disconnect" between him and the team. I think it's time for a face lift. I think with that top 10 pick the Sabres will grab a winger, hopefully Eklund. THey will also have their choice of either 1-3 which will be Power or Benier IMO. But with Turcotte that gives BUF Cozens, Mitts, and Turcotte up the middle. Potentially Cozens, Mitts, Turcotte, Benier. Hopefully Turcotte can make some strides and turn into the #1 Center we are hoping Cozens becomes.

When 16 of your 56 games (28.5%) are against Colorado and Vegas - the two best teams in the league according to the sports books - those goals/shots against are going to be skewed, no? They were 3-13 against those 2 teams and -27 goal differential.

This is not that Eichel's previous value would not equal a 2nd overall +. The problem is the whole reason Eichel is even available is how poorly he has connected with management, this is an issue that whatever team obtains him will inherit. To compound the issue of him publically shaming his team, he may also show preference to use his medical doctors over his new team's doctors. This is not a small issue, Rob Blake answers to owners, who he will have to explain why he traded his 2nd overall pick on an entry-level contract for a $10M injured player who has a history of butting heads with management after they lost 1/3 of their value during the pandemic. It also take Rob Blake from being a guy not on the hot seat, on the hot-seat if the team is not poised for a playoff position. The question isn't about what Eichel is worth, it's what is the most teams are willing to offer for a player that has backed Buffalo in the corner. Take a look at the top prospects in the league, let me know if you can find a team that can move a #1 center prospect of Byfield or Turcotte's caliber for a $10M player during a cap crunch.

They also played the same amount of games against bottom feeder teams like Ducks, Sharks, and Yotes and struggled there too. This isn't a playoff team yet, and I don't think Eichel will make players all the sudden better at tape-to-tape passes or coughing up the puck. They just need to keep working on it, gain chemistry, giving up the best pieces of your rebuild for an injured player who is publically shaming management isn't wise. This only works if Eichel comes at a discount, and Turcotte, a top-10 pick, and two other assets are a better option than most teams can/willing to offer.

Laughter often the sound of idiots