Quoting: Ledge_And_Dairy
Ive watched Eichel live play many times (leafs tickets cost way too much compared to Sabres tickets). He is a hell of a player and I'm not disagreeing with your value. However I am personally under the opinion that he will need surgery for the herniated disk and Buffalo intends to move him before a surgery. I also think the concept of Calgary acquiring Eichel would be to play alongside Tkachuk and instead mortgage the future
I think we are in agreement then.
As I said Jack will make nearly anyone look like a superstar.
I would hate to trade away Jack and the only other solution is to trade away the owners at this point.
But I think there is a toxic atmosphere in Buffalo as many players greatly underperform when they are traded to Buffalo.
Really can you imagine a team with Eichel, Hall, Reinhart, Skinner, Olofsson up front and Dahlin and Ristolainen on the back end not being in a playoff hunt?
How about a team with O'Reilly, Kane, Eichel and Reinhart finishing in last place over all.
While many of the moves Botterill made also failed to produce a winner, he had the correct perspective, grow the talent in a winning atmosphere in the minors then bring them up when they are ready.
The three years before Botterill came to Buffalo and the year he left the Buffalo farm club was in last or near last, only when he was the GM did the Amerks make the playoffs every year.
I have no faith in Kevyn Adams but it is time to start over and build through the draft and farm system, not rush it as Murray did.
Can you put together package that Buffalo may accept for Eichel that most Flames fans will also accept.
Keep in mind Buffalo has solid Defensemen, Center, GK and LW prospects.
The black hole is at RW. If Reinhart is also traded, only Tage Thompson is left.
Tkachuk would work as Skinner could move over to RW.
BTW while I am a Sabre's fan I root for the Leaf's in the playoffs.
I think they cannot win a game seven as their GK is never as good as their opposition.