NHL Rumors: Golden Knights next up for Jack Eichel, Sabres trade demand update, and where will Rick Tocchet land?
Anthony Scultore
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The Jack Eichel saga, is likely to drag on up until the NHL Draft. However, those intensified trade talks may die down for now. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger he feels that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has had all his conversations and understands the framework for a deal.
Golden Knights next up for Jack Eichel
Whenever a team is eliminated from the playoffs as a favorite, it raises questions. For the Golden Knights, their weakness at center was highlighted. Speculation started about Jack Eichel as soon the Canadiens ousted Vegas. With their owner Bill Foley known to be aggressive in pursuing top players, this one was an easy connection to make.
“I’d be surprised if the Golden Knights and the Sabres haven’t had a conversation regarding Eichel,” Dreger said on WGR550. “I can’t imagine they won’t explore this.”
Alex Tuch was mentioned as a “great get” for the Sabres if they could extract him as part of the package. Dreger also added that the reports having the Blue Jackets out on Eichel is something he just isn’t buying.
While Eichel seems like a fit in Vegas, they have limited cap space. I’m not saying this isn’t a possible destination, but there would need to be other moves to open up cap room.
Sabres trade demands for Eichel
Back in March, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports provided some insight to the Sabres ask on Eichel. On Sportsnet’s Writers Bloc he began by noting that Jack Eichel is very close to ownership and it isn’t a given they will even want to move him. However if they do the price is steep.
“They are not sure if they are going to trade him or not,” Lavoie began. “If they trade him they want four pieces that are first round picks. Or players that are playing if not in the NHL or elsewhere like the NCAA – that were first round picks and are having success and not struggling.”
That of course was prior to Eichel neck issues coming to light. Things may have changed a bit with regards to the Sabres demands. In a new report in The Athletic it states Buffalo is now looking for all futures. Here’s the problem with that, most teams do not have the cap space to take on Eichel’s $10 million AAV without sending significant money the other way.
If this is really what Adams is looking for, he is only going to continue to reduce the number of suitors.
Where will Rick Tocchet land?
When the Seattle Kraken chose Dave Hakstol to be their head coach it stunned many around the hockey world. Not that Hakstol wasn’t deserving, but how many thought it was Tocchet’s job after three interviews. Now, even after multiple interviews with the Buffalo Sabres, it may still be interim head coach Don Granato that gets the job.
Is it possible that Rick Tocchet will be without a team for next season? It seemed almost unfathomable just a few weeks ago but it seems likely.
