Your post would make a lot more sense if you had made a 21/22 roster with the Rangers. Bonuses have to considered against any cap. If the Rangers are close to the cap with Eichel trade, how are they going to pay for their upcoming RFAs or even UFAs who they may want to keep? As result, the Rangers or any team or really going to have the issues or even the desire to pony up so much for Eichel.

People who don't understand value simply can't be taught it.

No need to police them. It's all common sense.

You're right but they'll have enough money next year with buyouts being cleared out and expiring contracts. They won't be cap compliment in the coming years but Im fine with that . Again, this is what a hypothetical trade would look like and showing what his value is

Most of the bad offers forget the fact that it will be a bidding war. If Eichel got to pick and choose what teams he wanted to go to he would cost a lot less, like Hall at the trade deadline.

On flip side...we don't really know if Eichel's injury is long-term thing or not.
So there is a good chance his value is currently below where Buffalo would trade him.
Problem is...his AAV is a little hard to move in-season and his NTC clause kicks after next year.

(and Dahlin and Reinhart without contracts in 50 days...)

Exactly that’s why the value is so hard to gauge. It could either be teams are comfortable with the injury and the bidding war happens. Or the price dips bc of injury and contract. Time will tell, but I think the whole “the team that gets him will deal with him injury” likely won’t help the value.

But I think that is the issue...they won't be cap compliant in coming year. Here's a hypothetical thought. Instead of making the trade as posted, the Rangers trade Strome for futures, keep Kappo, Schneider, Georgiev, the two draft picks, sign they would have 10m in cap space to sign UFA(s), let's say Hamilton and more.

Eichel's 10m cap hit just makes it difficult for the Sabres to get value. Sabres competition in any trade is UFAs.

Too much chaos and question marks to get 4 firsts unless there’s more cap going back to Buffalo. I think Buffalo Vancouver or Calgary a little more possible with some ugly cap going back along with the picks needed to add a key piece for nucleus.

Given that that can be true, how often is there an impact player the caliber of Jack Eichel available in free agency? Particularly at center, and at age 24, never. Franchise centers are worth whatever the cost is to get them. Teams throw away entire seasons to draft one, and years of high-end draft picks and prospects that aren’t as good as the guy they’re getting if necessary to get one in a trade.

This is probably an exaggeration, is Eichel worth a lot? Probably. Is Eichel worth the value of 7-8 mid/late 1sts? No probably not

Why is he available?? Missing 30+ games and still has unresolved neck issues. At least he's led the Sabres to the playoffs, errr, a draft pick outside the top 8, ummm.

If he's that valuable why would the Sabres ever trade him????

I'll certainly disagree with your statement "franchise centres are worth whatever the cost to get them". The best player in the NHL, McDavid, can't win without a good supporting cast. Since Toews (and Kane) signed their 10.5m contracts, the Hawks haven't won the Cup. No, it a cap league, "value" is important in any signing, and having upcoming NHL good ELC players is a must.
We'll see how this all plays out. IMO the Sabres have to trade Eichel before the UFA starts when teams are setting up their team on the ice with the cap available. Just my opinion, Sabres fans are going to disappointed in he return.

If they are nearly impossible to get why would the Sabres trade him??? If any team needs a franchise center it would be Buffalo....

The 'bidding' part will likely be on salary though...who can take the most without sending back.
Not because its what Buffalo wants, but because it will be most likely way teams differentiate themselves.

This offer from the Rangers equates to about 5 firsts and 2 seconds. Which is a fair deal.

Im curious on your math here, is this the breakdown?
Georgiev = 2nd
Kakko = 2 mid 1st's
Schneider = mid 1st
Strome = mid 1st

Personally I think that's still a bit high, especially with Eichel's medical condition at a standstill right now

That is my breakdown. I wouldn’t trade Strome for Schneider per se, I’m just using draft pedigree.

But as for the offer, this price will be close to the value after a bidding war. If you offer Sabres fans less you’re gonna get some cynical people saying “starts with Lindholm Tkachuk and Zary”

Is he worth Holtz, Shkmdln, Zacha, Kuokknn, NJD 1st & NYI 2nd??? I doubt most teams would balk at paying all that! Some crazy owner might approve of selling the farm, for a non saviour, making 8% of cap, with a serious neck injury, while losing money for years now and at least one more... Hopefully not NYR.
Stone got what 1st & 2nd ??? and little Brannstrom, who is proving to be overhyped, undersized and overwhelmed instead of Suzuki/Glass. Teams also knew what Stone was looking for capwise.

I’d pay that without losing any sleep

People will say that regardless, Even though Zary and Pelletier are some of the top prospects in their respective leagues Sabres fans seem will only accept our entire NHL core in a trade for Eichel. There is no logic behind it. Personally I don't think any team will try to outbid Tkachuk+, not even the Rangers.

That's where teams fall out of the running. NYR won't pay that package to be maxed out depth and cap wise. Smaller markets like NJD might, only to see him walk away after contract. I doubt he lands a Byf or Laf.

The Sabres aren’t landing anyone of that tier in every single trade in this chain though.

Also “fall out of the running” and “maxed out depth” are mutually exclusive.

Devils wouldn't do it because they don't need Eichel

But if you theoretically did, take that deal and ride it into the sunset.

What do you mean by "if you theoretically did"?

Like if we didn't have Jack Hughes?