NHL Rumors: Jack Eichel trade talk picking up, Zach Hyman done with Maple Leafs, and Brind’Amour sticking with Hurricanes
Anthony Scultore
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Over the last few days both Elliotte Friedman and Pierre LeBrun are reporting that trade talks concerning Jack Eichel are picking up. The biggest question that I continue to pose is if this “talk” is coming mostly from the Buffalo Sabres side.
Jack Eichel trade talk picking up
Yesterday, Elliotte Friedman implied that trade talks were picking up around the Sabres but he added the caveat that it could be about Sam Reinhart. In his latest blog he noted that a source informed him that come the draft the Sabres would have two high first round picks. Whether that comes from dealing Eichel or Reinhart we will soon find out.
I did ask around to see if the Sabres gave anyone permission to talk to Jack Eichel, but don’t believe that’s the case. Everyone’s gone into the cone of silence. From what I can tell, the team and its captain are negotiating the next steps of his recovery. Multiple sources indicate that if there’s any deal involving either Eichel or Sam Reinhart, do not be surprised if the Sabres end up with a second high first-round selection in July’s draft.
31 Thoughts
This morning, Pierre LeBrun put forth his own insights into the Jack Eichel situation.
Nobody said the Stanley Cup playoffs had to be over before Jack Eichel potentially gets moved. And while I’m not saying the star center will get traded before the end of the playoffs, what I’m hearing is that conversations between the Buffalo Sabres and other interested teams are getting more intense and serious. So read into that what you will. The next few weeks could be intriguing on that front.
Pierre LeBrun, The Athletic
There’s no big secret that the Sabres are ready to move on from Jack Eichel. What I am wondering is if there’s a market for an injured superstar who makes $10,000,000 per season? The Rangers are probably still interested but that dropped off considerably since news of his neck injury surfaced. And the Kings were likely never in on him at all. The Bruins are also said to be out of the mix – so who does that really leave? The Flames or the Blue Jackets are possibilities.
Zach Hyman done with the Maple Leafs?
This is going to be an offseason of change for the Toronto Maple Leafs. One of the biggest questions in front of them is the future of UFA forward, Zach Hyman.
“I haven’t really thought about it and I haven’t spoken with [my agent], he’s kind of given me space. I’ll talk to him about that,” Hyman said. “I think there are a lot of moving pieces with this. I don’t know what the future holds. I’ll have to speak to Kyle (Dubas). We’ll reconvene and I’m sure we’ll talk in a couple of weeks.”
via The Fourth Period
When asked if he’s like to return Hyman was quick to respond, “of course.” He is looking at a huge raise so it is no given he will be back. More water was poured onto the idea by James Mirtle.
Multiple sources said they didn’t believe any talks of substance had happened, going back months. No progress was made on extension talk at any point, really, going back to when Hyman first became eligible for a new deal last year.
The Athletic
Rod Brind’Amour staying with the Hurricanes?
Yesterday, I wrote about Rick Tocchet likely being named the first head coach of the Seattle Kraken. There was always an outside chance Rod Brind’Amour could leave Carolina, but once Gerard Gallant signed with the Rangers for four years at $3.5 million per season, it was a clear indicator something was up.
“That the Rangers went ahead and cemented things with Gallant was a sign to me that they got intel Brind’Amour wasn’t leaving Carolina,” LeBrun explained. My belief is that Brind’Amour will also leverage Gallant’s new deal to improve the Hurricanes offer of $1.8 million per season.
