Joined: Jun. 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
You can't underestimate Eichel's value as a player, but even at 50% retention, Tampa still sits well over the cap. Secondly, how much does Eichel really help Tampa Bay? Over recent years he's been injured as often as he's underperformed and you're selling off a player you perceive as a franchise talent for two late 1st rounders and two depth forwards that don't begin to fix your problems. Somehow, both sides manage to lose this trade. Tampa because with their cap situation, they'd probably end up losing Eichel anyways through a trade to dump salary unless they sold off McDonagh, along with losing two 1st round picks they're going to need in order to extend their contending window; just look at the Pens' prospect situation.
I regret to inform you bud, the time to sell Eichel off for a return even remotely like this was 3 years ago when you gave up on O'Reilly and Kane, and when the Lightning were still playoff chokers desperate to be taken seriously. Between the poor reputation Terrance Pegula has built for the Sabres in general, paired with the fact that they've absolutely nuked their core, they have absolutely zero trade leverage with *anybody* in the entire league. Take a 1st round pick and a role forward and move on.