‘But at what price? The Avs likely would have given the Sabres a big-money player with a long-term contract (think defenseman Sam Girard at $5 million through 2026-27), plus a top prospect (forward Alex Newhook and/or defenseman Justin Barron), and draft picks. Buffalo might have settled for Mikko Rantanen or Cale Makar plus a draft pick, a scenario Colorado would have quickly shot down. But Bednar made it clear talk of Eichel possibly coming to Colorado was not a distraction.’