Curt

Obviously it’s going to vary team to team, and maybe one of them would, but honestly I think the general answer here is no. Maybe Backstrom or Scheifele, not positive. This may just be a difference of opinion in what you and I think the trade market would be.

I don’t think that a team, already experiencing success, would trade their best play for Jack Eichel, especially if they are expected to add other pieces in the deal. And if your expectation is to get some other teams best player in an Eichel trade, I feel pretty confident you will be disappointed with the return of an actual trade.

Eichel (when healthy and playing) is a better player than Barzal. However the Islanders would not trade their 1C and best offensive player, along with their #1 goalie and a 1st for him. I don’t think teams get excited about the idea of trading away central figures (like Barzal, Makar, Landeskog, Aho) from a team that is already finding success with the group that they have.

I did, lol. Just adding my opinion.

I don’t know that we are better off without him, but I think there are scenarios out there where the team is better off with a combination of 3-4 good young players/prospects/high picks. Totally agree on your philosophy though. Jack Eichel is not the Buffalo Sabres. He is just a small part.

Personally, I don’t think any of those teams would give up a return like that. It’s too much. Almost every team has a player or two that they consider to be as important as Jack. They aren’t giving up one of them in a trade for Jack. (Fox, Makar, Aho, Barzal). I think you are dreaming there.

Laaksonen is a RD, unless I’m wrong and he plays his off hand side.

I don’t think Dahlin and Jokiharju need to be paired with a defensive defenseman. They have looked great together. I don’t think he should play in the NHL next season.

I personally really like Friedman and don’t think this is true. I find him quite measured and cautious about what he says, generally providing clear distinction between information he has heard and his personal opinions on things.

Can someone check on @dudacek?

Good point. Hope the B’s are savoring it. Hehe

I’m not of the opinion that Eichel either should be or must not be traded. He is a great talent, no doubt, but I get none of the feeling that he brings a great deal to the team beyond that. I don’t mean to sound terribly harsh, but I just don’t see him as a team centerpiece or leader who binds the group together. I don’t get the impression that everyone would be emotionally crushed without him. Likewise, I find that I don’t personally carry any special feelings of affection towards him. I’m happy when he does great things on the ice, but beyond that, I don’t fine any particular reasons to like him. I’m not emotionally attached to him. Consequently, I’ll judge any Eichel trade on its merits. I feel like I’m more willing than most to consider the idea.

I don’t think that Eichel would refuse to play and sit out instead. However, if he really wants to be traded, and asks for one, I think it’s in the teams best interest to trade him. They don’t need to jump at the first crappy offer they get, but they would need to pursue a trade. It just isn’t good for anyone to have the captain and face of the franchise coming to work every day wishing that he was somewhere else. His heart wouldn’t be in it, and it wouldn’t help the team achieve greater heights. I just think this attitude that the Sabres can just muscle Eichel into doing what they want is very misguided. The team is not going to get anywhere like that.

I don’t think what you want is impossible.

@Thorny I get it. It’s a tough topic.

So like a proven 50+ point guy, with reasonable $ and term or team control, who isn’t too old?

Just as a thought exercise, what do you mean by “current true first line player”? Do you really mean one of the 96 best forwards in the NHL? Or do you mean a star player putting up near a point per game?

I’m sure Hall will play fine, probably better than in Buffalo, but he still isn’t a “power forward winger” any more than a guy like Pasternak is.

Really? Didn’t know that. Different world then anyway. Anyone in the past 20 years?

There was some of that. Caps were sloppy.

This is probably true, but I don’t see how you could say this definitively. This is a team with no players.

Me too.

I like those too, but I also find him annoying sometimes.

The secret to Granato’s success???

I don’t really mind Dunleavy. He does the bare minimum and is rather dull. He kind of blends into the background. I often find Ray annoying though.