thewookie1

Yeah I was meaning in the past tense not that we should of forced him to stay in return for the ADR. More that I was disappointed he wasn’t even willing to stay even prior to the whole surgery fiasco.

Oh I know, I was meaning it as if Eichel had a 2x10mil contract versus 5x10mil contract. That the impact/cost is far different

I’m happy Eichel was candid, I’m happy he’ll get the surgery he wants but he wasn’t going to get any benefit of the doubt in medical care when he’s already told you he’s gone. Why would the Sabres assume the risk of his surgery if we have no chance to actually benefit from it directly but only potentially get screwed or draw neutral. It would be like buying a lottery ticket where you can either get $1 or -$100. Since a fusion was still a legitimate option and they couldn’t literally prevent the ADR operation; they played cold and calculating with him. Eichel had effectively made himself a mercenary instead of a Sabre and the team decided to treat it as such.

Depends really, if most teams wanted 3 mil + then I too would of made it a nonstarter. I’d be angry if we refused to retain for 2 years but I certainly understand the unwillingness to retain for 5. After all, even Krebs, Cozens, Dahlin, etc of ELCs and bridges would come up still before the 5 year time frame. Add in the unknown of what the cap will be in 5 years and it becomes a value in of itself.

It’s just overall sad. I both understand why he wanted out after all the losing but simultaneously hate him for taking the captaincy and literally giving up after 1.75 seasons. The fact that Eichel wouldn’t even commit to staying if he had the ADR is really telling and likely was part of our extreme risk-adverse behavior. The fact Adams tried to stick band aids on the team last year shows how much Adams wanted to see if they could smooth things over but obviously that never worked out. I’d also be remiss to not say KA may have felt Eichel would dog it regardless and thus the whole “players who want to be here” mantra coming out. The Sabres hold plenty of fault but I still put the onus on Eichel for wanting out a year after signing an 8 year contract. It’s plain conceited.

In the end Eichel was a great player, supported the community but was a mediocre leader and a terrible captain. A terrible captain because he took the C, and then immediately after one season gave up after we missed the playoffs due to Covid and Botterill's inaction.

It wouldn't exactly be easy to rebuild a team with the captain being passive aggressive. Especially seeing as Eichel proved that he was disinterested in being professional about thing at the end of last season.

based on Eichel's unwillingness to wait, or get the surgery himself; good riddance. He sounds like one of those stuck NBA players who feel the league and their team should cater to their every whim.

He's been in the hospital for the past 6 months on a bed waiting for the ok lol

Moist Walls!

The trade is solid; not a home run but like a base hit that scores a couple runs.

I still have hope that the 2023 3rd can become better based on Eichel’s return. Mainly because Friedman and Dreger have also said it’s a 2023 2nd and a conditional pick there would make sense

So we have new conflicting information, joy

Might be more the Sabres communicating with Vegas

I'd say yes, probably Zadorov or Monahan Probably, he'd want to go to St. Louis and they lack any great young centers

Butcher was partially to remove him but also make room because we'd be taking on Zadorov.

Here's my CGY proposal Zary, Zadorov, Monahan, Dubé, 2022 1st, 2023 2nd, 2023 3rd for Eichel & Butcher Then you send VGK Monahan(50%) & Eakin(50%) for Tuch, 2022 2nd, 2023 3rd Reacquire Borgen for a conditional 5th that becomes a 4th Skinner - Mitts - Dube Asplund - Thompson - Olofsson Bjork - R2 - Hinostroza Caggiula - Girgs - Okposo Hayden, Murray(Cozens) Dahlin - Borgen Hagg - Pysyk Bryson - Miller Zadorov IR: Tuch & Jokiharju Cozens can be sent down if need be or switched with R2 who could go to LW and bench Bjork.

A NMC isn't meant to help a player with a 8 year contract go the place he wants; the idea of a NMC is to prevent your team from trading you, only when the NMC ends up in the last year of a contract does it become what Hall used it for. Even with a NMC, Eichel's leverage is practically nil with the NMC as his threat is rather toothless. Oh, so you won't accept a trade to Calgary, then I guess you can sit on your hands. If he tries to pull a Hall, the Sabres will just let him kick dirt and I doubt many players would hold that against them seeing as the Bruins are in our division.

Not really, we can just let him sit around until he waives for other teams.

Bucci was right about the fact all night they looked slightly out of sync. A myriad of scoring chances hitting skates oddly or stick heels. Glad to see the battle until the end regardless. We need Samuelsson up here to help create some defensive presence.

The Sabres do a lot of stuff good, a lot of stuff bad and it shows in their play lol. @Gatorman0519 either find something positive to say about the team or shut up tonight already. You are the most depressing on this game day thread to the point I am honestly curious if you are a Sabres fan. Endlessly talking about how Eichel was great and we won't find another Eichel is like continuously telling people in the desert they are out of water.

Part of their problem is they can’t win a face off to save their life. Plus on the road we can’t try to line match to protect the youngsters.

Not a terrible 1st but the lack of Olofsson is very noticeable. Dahlin has zero ability presently to prop up a defensive blackhole in Butcher. The 6on5 goal by Skinner was nice Merkley got very lucky on his goal, but yet another 1st career goal was scored on us.

Why do we seem to always have injuries to key scorers

They save 2.85 mil per year and 15 mil in real money