Brawndo

The Sabres have gone from having the worse analytics department in the league to one of the Top 5, arguably the Top 3 in a matter of four months

Part of the settlement between all parties involved would be protection for the Sabres. If Jack cannot play He would go on LTIR for the remainder of His Deal. Approximately half the league is using LTIR right now, you don’t think Tampa, Toronto or Montreal would love to have an extra 10 Million in Cap Space for the next four to five seasons, especially the former two. The NHL could easily facilitate the moving of Eichel’s Deal if it becomes necessary, an extra 10 million a year in payroll is nothing to the Leafs or Canadiens

Michael Russo mentioned any deal with the Sabres for Eichel would require salary retention by the Sabres. There is no way the Sabres would do so, however there is precedent for long term retention with Toronto retenting 15% or 1.2 Million of Kessel’s Deal for 7 years. The Sabres could retain 20% for. A total of 10 million over the remaining 5 years. There are already paying 800k for four years to Hodgson and which ends next year. They do not have any expensive RFAs or UFAs at the end of this year, so the Cap is not a concern for the first two years of the deal. The remaining three should see mostly prospects on ELCs stepping into the league with a moderate increase in the cap. It’s doable from a cap perspective, but given the present condition of the Sabres and Eichel’s Relationship, there is no way it happens.

Kent Johnson, drafted 5th plays for Michigan. Also you need to take the long view on this. Look at the return that Jones and Risto got and now imagine what Drysdale could potentially bring in a return when He has two years remaining on His ELC as a RHD. I imagine they could get a top center prospect back or they have the potential makings of a Stanley Cup Caliber D Corps. I would rather get a center, but Drysdale has a lot of merit

Savioe, McGroarty, Geekie Slafkovsky and Cooley in addition to Wright project to Top 6 Centers and the next two classes have quite a bit of talent

They are most likely drafting between 5-10, so they should be all set to grab a Center

Columbus is interesting as they have Chicago’s 2022 First that’s only Top 2 protected. Plus a couple of prospects as well

Per Cap Friendly He has made 33.1 Million thus far. I do believe The ADR is the only procedure He will agree to, and Friedman mentioned that Eichel is seeing multiple neurosurgeons to gather more opinions in what He believes is steps to an arbitration case. One of the other things that Friedman mentioned was a possible one time carve out of the CBA where the NHL and PA agree to let Him have the ADR. How this affects the Sabres Liability wasn’t addressed. Jack has known since June, the Sabres were not approving the ADR, the announcement of His switching of agents was August 27th. If He was going to go rogue and have the ADR without permission, I imagine He would have done it already. For the record, I think Jack should be allowed to have His desired procedure

https://youtu.be/K17yG3h9Jj0

ASPLUND

WHO THE HELL ARE THESE GUYS?

TAGER

PARTY IN THE USA

SKINNER

That’s Quinn Hughes BTW

Anderson in net

This scenario seems plausible, but if something happens with His surgery and He cannot continue His Career, He’s out the remaining money on His Deal. That’s something I do not believe He or Brisson are willing to risk

Gotcha He would be instantly suspended by the Sabres. Having the procedure without permission would absolve them from any liability. Participating in the Olympics would prove Jack can play increases His Trade Value. You maybe onto something The only issue is if Jack was willing to take all the liability and potentially walk away from 50 Million Dollars, He probably would have done it already, or would do it soon

Marek brought up this exact scenario today on 32 Thoughts, Friedman checked with a league source who mentioned that the Sabres would hold His Rights as they would have to agree with His Retirement for Him to become an UFA, something they would not do. Friedman mentioned it would be similar to the IIya Kovalchuk remaining the NJ Devils Property, even though He retired from the NHL for The KHL.

https://twitter.com/swhyno/status/1450213441315250179?s=21

TBH, I do not believe that the Sabres are pushing Eichel to have the spinal fusion and that’s the reason why Friedman and others are not mentioning it. Adams in repeated interviews has stated they feel the spinal fusion is the preferred and that they will not authorize the ADR, but he quickly pivots to speaking about His Conversations with other GMs and doing what is best for the Sabres Organization and getting Their Perceived Value for Jack in any trade. Eichel’s Camp has made it clear He will not have the ACDF and the Sabres have not suspended Him for failure to abide by the teams recommended medical treatment. There are teams reportedly willing to allow Jack to have His ADR and the Sabres, Brisson, the NHL and PA are working to find a resolution. The only way the fusion enters the picture is if the ADR fails and that situation would most likely be another franchises problem. He did mention that other franchises that Friedman has spoken to are sympathetic to Eichel’s Situation, but they do support the Sabres Position as these franchises make huge investments in players and néed to have control over medical procedures.