NHL Rumors: Jack Eichel wanted out of Buffalo, Canucks Jake Virtanen trade stalls, and Andrei Svechnikov contract talks

So did Jack Eichel’s frustration this past off-season actually lead to a conversation where he asked to be moved? If you listen to what Darren Dreger said on TSN 1050, you would say – you bet he did.

NHL Rumors: Jack Eichel wanted out of Buffalo, Sabres reset not working

“Prior to the start of this season – go back into the summer – yeah it’s believed that Eichel had a conversation, and part of that conversation was wanting a change -wanting out of Buffalo,” Dreger said on Overdrive. “Now they found a way to talk him into changing from that mindset. They brought in Taylor Hall at $8 million, and they thought with a real good year maybe things would settle down.”

nhl trade bait
Feb 22, 2021; Uniondale, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (9) and New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) battle for position during the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

This is a stunning revelation, because up until this point it sounded like Eichel was just frustrated with losing and wanted to see the team take steps in a positive direction. Dreger also highlighted how Eichel’s body language looks completely off, and that’s only going to raise speculation that he’s looking to leave Buffalo.

“There’s some who wonder if Jack Eichel’s hurt? But his body language and the way he’s playing doesn’t look good at all,” Dreger emphasized. This is going to raise Eichel up the DGH Trade Bait Board now.

NHL Rumors: Canucks trade of Virtanen stalls

It sounded like the Canucks were close to trading Jake Virtanen to the Ducks yesterday. However, something along the way seemed to stall out. Per Elliotte Friedman, “Right now as it stand… it’s more than NOT likely than likely this happens.”

The holdup for a Virtanen for Danton Heinen deal is actual money and not cap hit. Vancouver has been trying all week to complete this deal and continue to try and figure out how to make the money work.

NHL Rumors: Andrei Svechnikov talks update

ANDREI SVECHNIKOV
Feb 19, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) looks on against the Chicago Blackhawks at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The Hurricanes most lethal shooter, Andrei Svechnikov is in line for a hefty pay raise. So what’s the latest on his contract talks as he heads for restricted free agency?

Andrei Svechnikov has cooled off after a hot start…and so have negotiations on a new contract for the young star, whose entry-level contract expires after the season. Svechnikov’s agent, Todd Diamond, said… “There’s a time and place to have deeper talks. There’s just so many games right now, it’s not the right environment for it. It may take into the offseason.”

News & Observer

Fear not Canes fans, it will get done. According to team owner Tom Dundon it’s a matter of when not if. “We want to get it done. These are fairly easy deals to get done. The market, if you look at the bridge deals that have been done, it’s not that hard.”

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