so the issue isn't the overly top heavy forward salary structure, its marner?

While I agree one of the big 3 contracts HAS TO GO, I dont think replacing it with another forward on a 10mil+ cap hit is the answer

I mean, honestly I could see this happening. The further the Eichel situation goes on, the more I believe that a player swap makes more sense. Like with laine and Dubois this swap may lineup pretty well.

Sabres are not interested in Marner

The thing is, it doesn't really help either team.

From the leafs perspective, you are trading a guy who sucks in the playoffs for a guy... who's never even played in the playoffs. No thanks.

But in term of likelyhood, I agree it's slowly getting more likely as both teams are probably getting very desperate and need to make a splash.

You do realize that Eichel is probably going to be trade for like Kaliev and a first rounder at this point, right? You aren't getting Byfield and Turcotte. Nobody wants to pay a lot for Eichel.

There’s going to be a point where the process is sped up quite a bit, and I think that’ll be when Eichel files a grievance.

I know this move doesn’t necessarily help either team but it’s a solution to a problem. Like you mentioned in another comment on here, Eichel has lost a ton of value being out as long as he’s been, still needing surgery and all the question marks around his recovery. Buffalo has seriously shot themselves in the foot with this situation. They’re going to have to settle for a bit less than they’re expecting. Which is why getting a player of marners caliber would be great.

nobody wants eichel? nobody wants to pay the crazy 4 first for him, but plenty of teams would want Eichel.

True, that was bad wording on my part. I agree.

Ya, I don't know a lot about that grievance but it certainly seems like a potential turning point.

And if Marner still sucks 5-10 games from now... maybe the leafs want to shake it up. It would be kind of like a PLD Laine situation.

both players have weak value at the moment, but I really dont think its in either teams interest to acquire those guys

better than Marner, and Eichel will get more than that, there are at least 5 teams actively in on him

Marner isn't enough to land Eichel.
Even then, he shouldn't be overly of interest to the Sabres.

ya i think moving marner in a one for one with another player that brings his own drama isnt necessarily the best move. I would be looking to create a bit more depth with that move if you can bring in a solid top 6 winger and a solid top 4 dman, i think leafs could come out the other side more balanced and a better team.

The handling of Eichel and the complete lack of respect the ownership and GM seem to have for his treatment plan and his own body is disgusting. I hope the Sabres only get a bag of pucks back for him.

I agree that no one should have any say in what you do or inject in your body, other than yourself

The problem with Eichel is the fact that the treatment he wants stands a good chance of ending his career. You're paying for a 10 million on LTIR player who might be able to play again and insurance won't cover. The Leafs obviously won't care about what they have to pay him because to them it honestly doesn't matter. That being said LTIR isn't free money and it's better to have the cap space than LTIR so at this point if the Leafs are going to let him have the surgery meaning the Sabres would have to pay the Leafs to take him. It makes zero sense to pay assets for a player who very likely will never play another game.

The issue is Eichel expecting a team to pay him after he get's a surgery doctors agree will likely end his career. Should he be able to get the surgery? Sure, he can. He just needs to breach the contract allowing the team to put him in noncompliance and nullify the contract. If he's out and can't play the team is off the hook. If he can play the team just says they are happy for him and life goes on. He wouldn't be the first player to be in noncompliance, and all it does is nullify the contract so the team doesn't have his cap hit on the roster.

Doctors dont agree it will likely end his career, what are you talking about

A fusion severely limits mobility and commits Eichel to many surgeries ahead of him. It would definitely affect his playing career, might not end it but he’d never be the same player. Talk to anyone who’s had a fusion and they’ll tell you how much it limits mobility.

I don’t get why they’re so hung up on the ADR. Eichel has multiple doctors and surgeons on his side saying it’s safe and effective. The Sabres are the laughing stock of the league right now. It’s absurd how they’re treating Eichel. Have fun getting players to come to Buffalo after this. They could’ve effectively ruined the entire franchise with how they’ve handled this.

Eichel should just be going and getting the surgery. Screw the contract and the team, go get the right surgery.

Eichel isnt getting fusion, thats the hang up

Is that not what the team doctors are recommending? I was under the impression that this whole thing started because he wanted the ADR but they wanted him to get the fusion.

What I’m saying is that it’s a joke that they’re trying to strong arm him into getting a fusion, which commits him to a lifetime of further surgeries and limits his mobility.

I think we’re both arguing the same point.

I agree. I’m just not sure a deal for say a top 6 forward and top 4 d will be out there. Maybe it is. I would really like to know what offers were on the table for Marner this summer. Hopefully he picks it up or his trade value is going to nose dive.

Swore I read somewhere that it was Eichel that wanted the riskier surgery, who even knows anymore with this Sabres soap opera.. Lol

In the eye of the Sabres the ADR that Eichel wants is the more risky surgery, because it’s never been done on a hockey player. But it’s been done on tons of athletes in much harder contact sports. Combat athletes have had this done before and their bodies go through a lot more wear and tear and they’ve been successful.

The Sabres want Eichel to get a fusion, a much less risky surgery, but also a worse potential outcome considering his mobility could be severely hindered and he’ll have to have multiple follow up surgeries later in life.

They agree there is a significant risk it could. I've looked at the trial report. Athletes in high impact sports reported that they experienced significant issues that required them to avoid major impacts. That's not exactly possible with hockey. Not all doctors consider hockey a vital part of Eichels life.