Jack Eichel dropped a bombshell on the NHL and the dumpster fire that is the Buffalo Sabres on Monday by expressing his dissatisfaction with the state of the franchise.
“I’ve been a bit upset about the way things have been handled since I’ve been hurt,” Eichel, drafted second overall behind Connor McDavid in 2015, said during his postseason media availability. “I’d be lying if I said things have moved smoothly since my injury. There’s been a bit of a disconnect between myself and the organization. … The most important thing is just trying to get healthy, figure out a way to be available to play hockey next year, wherever that might be.”
Much of the disconnect the 6-2, 213-pound center talked about is the difference of opinion on how his injury (herniated disc in his neck) should be handled. It limited him to 21 games this season (two goals, 16 assists). He wants surgery, the club prefers rehab.
Naturally, the comments triggered speculation on where he might be traded, which teams would be interested and who has the assets to make it happen.
Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, during his media call on Wednesday, said Eichel has not asked for a trade.
Can this relationship be repaired? If not, Eichel’s future figures to be the hottest topic heading into the entry draft on July 23-24.
Eichel, 24, has had a good career, averaging nearly a point a game (139 goals and 355 points in 375 games), though not spectacular. He has one 30-plus goal season (36 in 2019-20) and one 80-plus point season (82 in 2018-19).
He has five years remaining on his contract at a $10 million cap hit.
Who is the favorite to land Eichel? BetOnline (www.BetOnline.ag) weighed in with these odds:
New York Rangers 5/2
Los Angeles Kings 3/1
Arizona Coyotes 4/1
Boston Bruins 5/1
Calgary Flames 6/1
Minnesota Wild 8/1
Detroit Red Wings 9/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 10/1
Philadelphia Flyers 14/1
Washington Capitals 16/1
Chicago Blackhawks 20/1
Montreal Canadiens 22/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 33/1
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman isn’t afraid to make bold moves. He showed that in Tampa Bay by trading Martin St. Louis and Jonathan Drouin and buying out Vincent Lecavalier, and last month by dealing Anthony Mantha.
Eichel would fill the Red Wings’ need for a top-line center for years to come, a spot that Dylan Larkin, who many believe is better-suited as a second-line center, has not cemented. The Red Wings have ample cap space and Eichel could accelerate their rebuild.
But, as shown by those odds, several other clubs are better-positioned to make a pitch for Eichel, for a variety of reasons:
Would the Sabres trade their franchise player within the division?
Atlantic Division rivals Detroit and Buffalo were in different divisions this year due to temporary realignment because of COVID-19, but the NHL is expected to revert to the normal alignment next season. Buffalo surely would be hesitant to move Eichel to Detroit and have to face him 4-5 times a season with the teams possibly competing for a playoff spot in the near future.
They dealt another star, Taylor Hall, to division rival Boston at this year’s deadline, but he is five years older and unrestricted after the season.
Do the Red Wings have the pieces to deal?
It is difficult to project the asking price on a trade of this magnitude. Anthony Mantha landed the Red Wings a talented, younger player who has produced at a comparable rate (Jakub Vrana) as well as first- and second-round picks, though they will be late in each round, from Washington.
Eichel should fetch much more.
So, the Red Wings likely would need to relinquish a proven top-six forward (Larkin? Tyler Bertuzzi?), their top pick this year (it could be in the top five, no worse than ninth) and maybe even the Capitals’ first-rounder, and a prominent prospect or younger player.
Is Eichel’s injury cause for concern?
Any team willing to invest that much in a player (in salary cost and assets relinquished) must be certain his play won’t be diminished moving forward due to his injury, and surely expects the best is yet to come.
Adams said on his media call that the team and Eichel have agreed to wait until early June to determine how to proceed with his injury. He said the type of surgery Eichel’s camp desires has never been performed on an NHL player.
Would Eichel want to play in Detroit?
Of course, it wouldn’t be his decision. But the Red Wings certainly wouldn’t want to make a blockbuster deal for a player who isn’t all in on leading the rebuild. Eichel has played on a lot of bad teams in Buffalo and hasn’t appeared in a playoff game in his six NHL seasons. Not much would change for at least another year or two in Detroit. Would he have the patience to see it through?
As shown in those odds, the Rangers and Kings, each with a good pool of young players and prospects, are better-positioned to pursue Eichel.
Ultimately, Eichel to Detroit seems like a longshot, but with Yzerman in charge, you never know.
More: Steve Yzerman taking measured approach on Jeff Blashill decision
The Link LonkMay 13, 2021 at 04:22AM
https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2021/05/odds-on-jack-eichels-landing-spot-where-red-wings-rank-on-list.html
Odds on Jack Eichel’s landing spot: Where Red Wings rank on list - MLive.com
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