Jack Eichel: Trade rumors and speculation

[Curt]

1 hour ago, kas23 said:

At the Botterill firing presser, Terry made it abundantly clear that he wanted the Sabres to become a more “leaner”, “more efficient” team. Carolina may or may not have come up as an example, which is a team having success with a much lower budget. It even sounded like he was extending this “efficiency” to the roster as well. 
 

Yes, they did sign Hall, but against Hall’s wishes, only for 1 year. They wouldn’t even sign Rhino for more than a year. My guess is that Terry wanted to cut costs, including Jack, upon Adams being hired. Instead, Adams talks him off the ledge and asks for just 1 year to right the ship. One last hurrah before blowing it up. This leads to the 1 year signings. 
 

Lastly, and perhaps the biggest proof is that Terry has do this before. ROR was another 1C jettisoned. Was it a hockey decision to trade him before the bonus had to be paid? We supposedly had much more attractive offers if we had paid the bonus. Yes, there were other issues and I don’t want to minimize them, but money seemed the highest priority in that trade, not hockey sense. 

I find your reasoning for how the Pegulas are trading Jack to cut costs, while they have at the same time spent fully to the cap to be dubious.

And if they spend near to the cap again next season ($78M+), then what?  Can this be put to bed?

1 hour ago, nucci said:

it does seem that Pegula doesn't want to pay the high salaries

Since when?  Seriously.  I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!

[Buffalonill]

3 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

 

Both of these are obnoxious.  
 

No thanks on KO.  The captain cannot be that bad of a player IMHO.

 

Separately:  I think the injury is being overlooked as a driving factor of the apparent decision to move on from Eichel.  I will also say that if KA has decided to move Jack solely for cultural reasons, I disagree strongly with the decision, unless Jack is really one of those rare guys that no one can stand to be around.  

How ? There's not one game where i'm saying jack eichel is lazy.  The guy played with injuries that none of us would be able to play through 

I don't care what he did off the ice he was elite every game 

 

[nfreeman]

4 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:

How ? There's not one game where i'm saying jack eichel is lazy.  The guy played with injuries that none of us would be able to play through 

I don't care what he did off the ice he was elite every game 

 

If that’s your point, then say it, instead of what you said, which was poor in both content and tone.  

[thewookie1]

Alright,

 

Eichel, Olofsson, 4th for Zegras, Comtois, 3OA and Henrique.

 

would that be a good trade?

[Buffalonill]

1 minute ago, thewookie1 said:

Alright,

 

Eichel, Olofsson, 4th for Zegras, Comtois, 3OA and Henrique.

 

would that be a good trade?

 

Why are we giving up a pick ? I think this deal is bad for us 

[Ruff Around The Edges]

8 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

Alright,

 

Eichel, Olofsson, 4th for Zegras, Comtois, 3OA and Henrique.

 

would that be a good trade?

I think this is a very good trade for the Sabres given the circumstances.

Zegras and draft Dylan Guenther 3rd Overall who has a great shot and can be an elite sniper (Not like they think Quinn can be) would be an amazing combination for years to come.

[Randall Flagg]

10 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

Alright,

 

Eichel, Olofsson, 4th for Zegras, Comtois, 3OA and Henrique.

 

would that be a good trade?

I'd add a bit to get this package

[Mustache of God]

26 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

 

Both of these are obnoxious.  
 

No thanks on KO.  The captain cannot be that bad of a player IMHO.

 

Separately:  I think the injury is being overlooked as a driving factor of the apparent decision to move on from Eichel.  I will also say that if KA has decided to move Jack solely for cultural reasons, I disagree strongly with the decision, unless Jack is really one of those rare guys that no one can stand to be around.  

I don't disagree with this but looking at the roster with the available players, who would you pick (assuming Jack is traded)?

 

I've always read the Eichel situation is that Jack wants to be on a winning team and this organization has been so mismanaged to the point where there's no plan forward (3 coaches and 3 GMs so far). That compounded with the differing opinions on the neck injury have made things worse. I lost a lot of respect for Eichel as captain of the team during his presser where he came out and said something along the lines of, "my number one priority right now is Jack Eichel". That's not the language that should be coming out of your captains mouth.

[dudacek]

10 minutes ago, Mustache of God said:

I don't disagree with this but looking at the roster with the available players, who would you pick (assuming Jack is traded)?

 

I've always read the Eichel situation is that Jack wants to be on a winning team and this organization has been so mismanaged to the point where there's no plan forward (3 coaches and 3 GMs so far). That compounded with the differing opinions on the neck injury have made things worse. I lost a lot of respect for Eichel as captain of the team during his presser where he came out and said something along the lines of, "my number one priority right now is Jack Eichel". That's not the language that should be coming out of your captains mouth.

That was precisely the moment I decided to move on. I'm surprised it hasn't been talked about more.

Anyone who said what Jack said in that presser cannot be the captain of this hockey team.

[sabremike]

There are two ways to outperform a dogshit roster:

1) Elite coaching

2) Elite goaltending

What is this garbage dump of an organization doing?

1) Narrow the coaching search down to an interim whose big accomplishment was doing somewhat better than the single worst coach in modern history and is another entry level hire and a Cawlidge Hawkey coach (AKA The most surefire path to complete failure in hockey and to be honest in all of pro sports).

2) Watch the only NHL quality goalie in the entire organization walk out on a free transfer and depend on the undisputed worst goalie in the entire league.

[PerreaultForever]

52 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

No thanks on KO.  The captain cannot be that bad of a player IMHO.

I'm not sure what choice you have if you trade away the big 3, you can't dump it on a kid who has to develop still (like Cozens) I think you have to give it to KO since you know that in a short time it's free for  a young guy to have. Otherwise who? 

My own thought would be give Nick Foligno a reasonable 3 year deal (I know he's fading) and give him the C until Cozens or someone else is ready. It has to be a FA signing in any event if not KO. 

 

[Buffalonill]

29 minutes ago, Ruff Around The Edges said:

I think this is a very good trade for the Sabres given the circumstances.

Zegras and draft Dylan Guenther 3rd Overall who has a great shot and can be an elite sniper (Not like they think Quinn can be) would be an amazing combination for years to come.

A fan ! 

 

[PerreaultForever]

41 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

Alright,

 

Eichel, Olofsson, 4th for Zegras, Comtois, 3OA and Henrique.

 

would that be a good trade?

I think you'd have to give them Reinhart with Jack not Olofsson to get that much back. 

[Eleven]

1 hour ago, nfreeman said:

 I think the injury is being overlooked as a driving factor of the apparent decision to move on from Eichel.

From the team's perspective, I think it is the only factor.

From Eichel's perspective, well, I wonder if he is using the insistence upon surgery to try to get away.

[JohnC]

58 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:

 

Why are we giving up a pick ? I think this deal is bad for us 

I would take that trade in a nanosecond. Why be concerned about giving up a fourth round pick when under the trade scenario we would have two high first round and 2 second round picks? In fact if Jack is traded to Anaheim I would hold out to retain Olofsson. If that was a deal killer I would then include him. 

[Radar]

1 hour ago, sabremike said:

There are two ways to outperform a dogshit roster:

1) Elite coaching

2) Elite goaltending

What is this garbage dump of an organization doing?

1) Narrow the coaching search down to an interim whose big accomplishment was doing somewhat better than the single worst coach in modern history and is another entry level hire and a Cawlidge Hawkey coach (AKA The most surefire path to complete failure in hockey and to be honest in all of pro sports).

2) Watch the only NHL quality goalie in the entire organization walk out on a free transfer and depend on the undisputed worst goalie in the entire league.

He did ok figuring he was using goalies walking off the street practically. I think you overestimate the team Granato had to play with and underestimate the improved play of many young players the previous coach didn't utilize. Frankly I think you're against anything connected to this franchise.

[Buffalonill]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

I would take that trade in a nanosecond. Why be concerned about giving up a fourth round pick when under the trade scenario we would have two high first round and 2 second round picks? In fact if Jack is traded to Anaheim I would hold out to retain Olofsson. If that was a deal killer I would then include him. 

 

But you're also adding VO why? Jack alone should get that 

[Radar]

4 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:

 

But you're also adding VO why? Jack alone should get that 

VO is expendable. I think he's a power play guy but not a top six guy five on five.

[nfreeman]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

I'm not sure what choice you have if you trade away the big 3, you can't dump it on a kid who has to develop still (like Cozens) I think you have to give it to KO since you know that in a short time it's free for  a young guy to have. Otherwise who? 

My own thought would be give Nick Foligno a reasonable 3 year deal (I know he's fading) and give him the C until Cozens or someone else is ready. It has to be a FA signing in any event if not KO. 

 

I think I’m in the “no captain until someone clearly earns it and just go with As in the meantime” camp.

Now, if they miraculously bring in a guy like 5-years-ago Nick Foligno this summer?  Sure.  But I don’t think I want a guy who is as out of gas as Foligno looked to me on the Leafs during the playoffs.  
 

1 hour ago, Eleven said:

From the team's perspective, I think it is the only factor.

From Eichel's perspective, well, I wonder if he is using the insistence upon surgery to try to get away.

It’s very possible that Eichel is using the surgery dispute as a pretext, but that would be so dishonest, and transparently so (ie if he goes somewhere else and doesn’t get the surgery), that I’m skeptical this is the case.  I also think it doesn’t get him anything that a simple trade demand doesn’t get him.  

[mjd1001]

12 minutes ago, Radar said:

VO is expendable. I think he's a power play guy but not a top six guy five on five.

A powerplay guy is valuable.  A goal is a goal is a goal, whether it is pp or even strength or shorthanded.  I don't care how a goal is scored, as long as it is scored.  As a matter of fact, whenever the Sabres have a season where they are slumping on the PP, many people on here in years past longed for a powerplay specialist.

BTW, he is not great 5 on 5, but I think since he has been on the team, VO is 4th (or close to it) on the team in even strength goals.  Again, that isn't a lot, but it isn't like he is totally non-productive even strength.

[Radar]

9 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

I think I’m in the “no captain until someone clearly earns it and just go with As in the meantime” camp.

Now, if they miraculously bring in a guy like 5-years-ago Nick Foligno this summer?  Sure.  But I don’t think I want a guy who is as out of gas as Foligno looked to me on the Leafs during the playoffs.  
 

It’s very possible that Eichel is using the surgery dispute as a pretext, but that would be so dishonest, and transparently so (ie if he goes somewhere else and doesn’t get the surgery), that I’m skeptical this is the case.  I also think it doesn’t get him anything that a simple trade demand doesn’t get him.  

It gets him an element of support from some fans to side with him. A simple trade demand might alienate some.

[Marvin]

1 hour ago, sabremike said:

There are two ways to outperform a dogshit roster:

1) Elite coaching

2) Elite goaltending

What is this garbage dump of an organization doing?

1) Narrow the coaching search down to an interim whose big accomplishment was doing somewhat better than the single worst coach in modern history and is another entry level hire and a Cawlidge Hawkey coach (AKA The most surefire path to complete failure in hockey and to be honest in all of pro sports).

2) Watch the only NHL quality goalie in the entire organization walk out on a free transfer and depend on the undisputed worst goalie in the entire league.

Being pedantic:

1. Hutton is not under contract after the end of the league year and there is no evidence that he is being brought back.

2. There is no evidence that they will just let Ullmark walk; indeed, I recall Adams saying keeping Ullmark was one of the top things on his list.

Opinion:

I was never going to be 100% comfortable with any of the the potential coaching hires.  Then again, I felt funny about Lindy Ruff, Marv Levy, and Sean McDermott, so what do I know?

[Radar]

1 minute ago, mjd1001 said:

A powerplay guy is valuable.  A goal is a goal is a goal, whether it is pp or even strength or shorthanded.  I don't care how a goal is scored, as long as it is scored.  As a matter of fact, whenever the Sabres have a season where they are slumping on the PP, many people on here in years past longed for a powerplay specialist.

BTW, he is not great 5 on 5, but I think since he has been on the team, VO is 4th (or close to it) on the team in even strength goals.  Again, that isn't a lot, but it isn't like he is totally non-productive even strength.

Oh, I agree but if it takes him to be a part of a better overall deal I think he's expendable. Do I want him traded? No.

[Marvin]

13 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

It’s very possible that Eichel is using the surgery dispute as a pretext, but that would be so dishonest, and transparently so (ie if he goes somewhere else and doesn’t get the surgery), that I’m skeptical this is the case.  I also think it doesn’t get him anything that a simple trade demand doesn’t get him.  

It has pitted virtually the entire hockey world against the Sabres.  If he is that Machiavellian and wants out that badly, it might have been his plan to engender pressure to force a panic trade where we got bupkes in return.

[kas23]

2 hours ago, Curt said:

I find your reasoning for how the Pegulas are trading Jack to cut costs, while they have at the same time spent fully to the cap to be dubious.

And if they spend near to the cap again next season ($78M+), then what?  Can this be put to bed?

 

Yes, look where “spending to the cap” has got us. This is what Terry was saying about having a leaner, more efficient team. Spending to the cap doesn’t get you any prize and Terry knows this. If Jack and Rhino (and Risto) get traded this off-season, there’s a near 0% probability we will be spending to the cap next season. Who in the world would then be spending that on considering we’re projected to have $20M available?