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Buffalo reduces their ask for Eichel and bites on sending him West. His health is a major question mark and fans will hate this trade for sure, but the big problem here is that at this point, it’s doubtful this is like the Duchene trade to Ottawa when he was traded a few games into the season, Duchene was healthy and on and expiring deal. Eichel still has no resolution to the neck injury, and at this point, he could be out for most of the season next year if he has fusion surgery, or several weeks if he has the disc replacement that he wants which probably puts him out between thanksgiving and Christmas, but that has never been done on an NHL player.
The reality is here ( as a Sabres fan) no team is paying premium assets for an unknown commodity with a high price tag, flat cap, and term, and with the possibility that he will be out some of most of next year. Buffalo may also need to retain a little salary similar to what Toronto did with Phil Kessel.
Not to mention, the argument of “Buffalo doesn’t have to trade him” goes out the window when there’s a perception around the league that the Sabres do not want Eichel back.
The only team I see trading for Eichel would be a team who can afford to wait for him to get healthy, and a team that sees him as the missing peice. Right now VGK makes the most sense. If the Rangers come out and look like like a contender by the holidays: maybe they are more aggressive. But right now Vegas looks like the best fit for both sides and the idea here would be if he has the fusion surgery, Vegas would get a major boost come playoff time, or if he has the disk replacement, he gives them a boost after the new year.
Many knights fan will hate to include Tuch, but he’s in there because of the contract term is similar to Eichel’s? And he’s currently hurt and out long term.
I do think Peyton Krebs will be a deal breaker for VGK
GoodIdeaAtTheTime and gretzkyghosts liked this.
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