Is this confirmed?

Jeff Marek/TSN said it was definitely in the works. Don't know why SJ backed out or if Sabres backed out. Sabres really wanted Eklund.

Sam Reinhart + Isak Rosen for William Eklund


...

They were talking to Devils about moving up to #4 as well

Power and Eklund on the same team....

I'm glad it didn't happen. Eklund already looks like he's going to have a strong year. Potentially even Calder worthy, he wasn't phased by anything at camp or preseason. We'll see.

I don’t think they were, I thought there was speculation later in the draft with the devils.

I think he meant the Sabres moving from 14 to 4. There was SJ/Devils talk but it wasn't as prominent.

The Sharks backed out when Eklund fell to them. If Eklund was already gone the trade probably would've happened.

Pretty sure Buffalo was doing the trade to get Eklund that was the point from what I read.

There had to be another aspect of this, because DW Jr made it clear Eklund was the #2 on SJ's list behind Beniers, have to assume #3 was someone that went above 7th, and SJ liked almost as much as Eklund if this would have ever been in consideration.

yes but the information surrounding this is pretty scant.

It was on the sabres youtube as well. BUF was going to trade Reinhart+14 for 7OA, SJ backed out when a player fell, not sure if it was actually Eklund because why would SJ and BUF get into deep conversations about that pick when BUF was 100% going after Eklund

I think it was a couple of rumors that got mashed together (1) Devils were listening on #4 pick, (2) Sharks were considering moving Meier and (3) Devils / Sharks were talking trade. All three different scoops from different sources. People were just guessing that SJS were using Meier to jump to #4.

(The Devils Sharks blockbuster turned out to be Merkley/Jaros).

I have a hard time imagining the Devils trading #4 since Hughes was going to be available.

You and me both
I am guess it was just talk...probably a contingency plan if Hughes went in top-3

Levi, Hagg and second have marginal value, so Ristolainen and Reinhart for Eklund?
If Eklund is that good Buffalo should have taken him instead of Power.
Buffalo needs a center more than a LHD.
This is a perfect example of how stupid the Sabres are, they drafted a LHD and are now using a RW's at Center Thompson and Quinn.
Alternatively they could have traded down for the fifth OA, .

I had Eklund #2 behind Power for draft

1. Power

2. Eklund
3. Hughes
4. Clarke

It could have been in both Seattle and Buffalo's best interest to have swapped picks, but Seattle didn't have many assets to deal.

(also, they have talked about Dahlin getting shifts at forward, so maybe LD is a litter thinner then)

I think it comes down to the philosophy of taking who you feel is the best player versus needs.

Wait, they're going to pull a Brent Burns on Rasmus Dahlin? It worked for Burnsie to improve his offensive game but he had a prime Joe Thornton to play with. Sabres don't have anything close to a prime Thornton with Eichel likely never playing a game for Buffalo again. Seems a terrible idea.

Thank you all for your constructive comments.
Too often when I make a post, I get push back even when I agree with the comment, by starting I agree!

There is no lack of unrest in the community here.

Never ever seen a team take a a player of need over skill at 1OA

Ekblad.