NHL Rumors: Sabres have several offers for Jack Eichel; and top free agent predictions
Anthony Scultore
|
We are just a few hours away from the madness that is Free Agent Frenzy in the NHL. Flat cap be damned, teams are already out there spending some big bucks.
The Capitals gave their aging superstar a 5 year deal with an AAV of $9.5 million. Colorado made sure to lock up their captain to an 8 year deal worth $7M AAV. Today, there are several other names expected to cash in and a few more big trades to look out for.
[brid video=”812499″ player=”23765″ title=”Jack%20Eichel%20tops%20the%20list%20of%20players%20to%20be%20traded%20this%20NHL%20offseason” duration=”51″ description=”The NHL Trade Rumors buzz is going to pick up steam as we get closer to the Seattle Expansion Draft. This summer there are several high profile players that are either known to be available or often mentioned in trade talks. Let’s break down the top candidates.” uploaddate=”2021-06-26″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/snapshot/812378.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/streaming/812378/812378.m3u8″]
NHL Rumors: Sabres have several offers for Jack Eichel
Will the Jack Eichel saga end today? The hockey world sure hopes so. This is the most drawn out trade in the history of sports.
According to Pierre LeBrun, he states the Sabres are in serious talks with multiple teams.
“On Jack Eichel, my sense from talking to a few people around the league is that Buffalo is in serious talks with multiple teams, the process hasn’t zeroed in on just one team yet,” he tweeted. “And I don’t think the Sabres feel it has to be done today if they don’t get the package they want.”
By the way, two teams is considered multiple.
Who is in on Eichel?
Several teams in on Eichel are the Golden Knights and the Rangers. Some still feel the Ducks are interested as well.
Oddly enough, both Vegas and New York seem to be already lining up on Plan B – Phillip Danault. Unconfirmed reports state the Golden Knights have already worked out a deal.
The Sabres continue to demand that Braden Schneider or Nils Lundkvist from the Rangers. I doubt GM Chris Drury will add either of them. If he does complete the deal it should very much be like the offer which was relayed to me by a team source back in March.
Vitali Kravtsov, Filip Chytil, Zac Jones, and a first round pick are pieces they’d be willing to move. Maybe with Keith Kinkaid in the fold and Sabres unsure they can sign Linus Ullmark the Blueshirts could include Alexandar Georgiev.
As for Vegas, THN’s Ryan Kennedy says he heard the Sabres ask from Vegas was Reilly Smith, Peyton Krebs, Nic Hague and a first-rounder.
Odds are the Sabres will take the best deal available today. If they choose to hold out any longer, some of those “multiple teams” may spend money elsewhere and thus drive down the return in the future. Let’s not forget, Eichel has a no-move clause that kicks in next summer.
Clock is ticking Buffalo.
NHL Free Agency: Rumored signings and predictions
The news is coming out so fast and furious today that even Vin Diesel can’t handle it.
Here’s some of the rumored signings expected to take place as soon as the bell rings.
- D Dougie Hamilton with Devils per multiple sources
- F Zach Hyman with Oilers per multiple sources
- F Phillip Danault with Golden Knights or Rangers per Friedman
- G Jaroslav Halak with Canucks per LeBrun
- G Jonathan Bernier with Devils per LeBrun
- F Nick Foligno with Wild per Friedman
- D Ryan Suter with the Stars per McKenzie
- F Zach Parise with the Islanders per McKenzie
- F Jaden Schwarts with Kraken per multiple sources
- D David Savard with Canadiens per multiple sources
- D Tony DeAngelo, 1 year $1M with Hurricanes per TSN