Jack Eichel: Trade rumors and speculation

[thewookie1]

1 hour ago, Hoss said:

This conversation isn’t worth having.

Rather talk about someone else's disgruntled young captain than our own.

[Hoss]

2 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

Rather talk about someone else's disgruntled young captain than our own.

Well you’re talking about both 😉 Also, McDavid went in the opposite direction on his public comments compared to Eichel.

[Kong]

McDavid? Keep dreaming. Plus Eichel is extreme damaged goods, in more way than one.

[Thorny]

15 hours ago, thewookie1 said:

One caveat with this however is that playoff hockey differs from regular season hockey in this regard. During regular season games stacking one line can work wonders.

The playoffs however inspire players to do much more to actually lockdown a line making a stacked line more of a detriment than an advantage.

Effectively, in the season you can do well and even make the playoffs on the back of one high end line and a combination of good goaltending and a couple solid Dmen. Whereas in the playoffs, depth is absurdly important to a degree that is almost immeasurable. Its also where the whole “need of a superstar” question is raised. However you do need a superstar or two; but said players must be completely willing to sacrifice their own personal success to win in the playoffs. 

Stars carry you to the playoffs, depth and goaltending advances you through the playoffs, and your overall cohesion wins you the Stanley Cup 

 

Agree with this - and a big part of why is because of how dumb and inconsistent the NHL is with regards to calling penalties in the playoffs. It's the only sport I know where teams are effectively charged with molding a roster in consideration (well, most teams) of *two* distinctly different forms of the sport. Take Edmonton - their stars cleaned up on the PP in the regular season, yet the stars were given far less opportunity to do their thing, on the PP, in the playoffs. Because the way the game is officiated changes significantly. 

The lack of consistency bothers me - cause it's not like it's all calls that get devalued in the playoffs, either. Hog-tie someone on a breakaway and you are all good, but puck over glass? THAT one counts for the same in the playoffs. Officials go out of their way to avoid making calls so as to "not determine the game", yet in not adhering to the rule book it's merely a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

As a general rule your best offensive players (the stars) benefit the most from the PP, and the NHL consciously chooses to devalue the PP and therefore the top stars in the playoffs. It's a conscious choice to mitigate the impact of the star players in the playoffs, and I can't say I'm much of a fan of that

Edited May 26, 2021 by Thorny

[LGR4GM]

32 minutes ago, Thorny said:

Agree with this - and a big part of why is because of how dumb and inconsistent the NHL is with regards to calling penalties in the playoffs. It's the only sport I know where teams are effectively charged with molding a roster in consideration (well, most teams) of *two* distinctly different forms of the sport. Take Edmonton - their stars cleaned up on the PP in the regular season, yet the stars were given far less opportunity to do their thing, on the PP, in the playoffs. Because the way the game is officiated changes significantly. 

The lack of consistency bothers me - cause it's not like it's all calls that get devalued in the playoffs, either. Hog-tie someone on a breakaway and you are all good, but puck over glass? THAT one counts for the same in the playoffs. Officials go out of their way to avoid making calls so as to "not determine the game", yet in not adhering to the rule book it's merely a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

As a general rule your best offensive players (the stars) benefit the most from the PP, and the NHL consciously chooses to devalue the PP and therefore the top stars in the playoffs. It's a conscious choice to mitigate the impact of the star players in the playoffs, and I can't say I'm much of a fan of that

Which brings me to Victor Olofsson. How useful will he be in the playoffs?

[Radar]

3 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Which brings me to Victor Olofsson. How useful will he be in the playoffs?

I'm not sure VO is nothing but a power play specialist. I'm doubtful about him as a first or second line regular player.

[Hoss]

I’m still not convinced Olofsson is a throwaway. He scores. We don’t do that a lot. I’m not just going to write him off as a nothingburger.

[mjd1001]

6 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Which brings me to Victor Olofsson. How useful will he be in the playoffs?

A goal is a goal is a goal....a PP goal counts just as much as a even strength goal.  If you don't have that PP specialist, then when you lose games because you haven't scored on the PP in a few games you will wish for someone like him.    Besides, this board seems to think he is 100% useless unless on the PP. Over the past 2 years, he is tied for 4th on the team in assists...and 4th on the team in EVEN STRENGTH goals....3rd in overall points and 3rd in even strength points.

[Marvin]

39 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

A goal is a goal is a goal....a PP goal counts just as much as a even strength goal.  If you don't have that PP specialist, then when you lose games because you haven't scored on the PP in a few games you will wish for someone like him.    Besides, this board seems to think he is 100% useless unless on the PP. Over the past 2 years, he is tied for 4th on the team in assists...and 4th on the team in EVEN STRENGTH goals....3rd in overall points and 3rd in even strength points.

PP goals are much rarer in the playoffs because the NHL has reverted back to the old ways of officiating the playoffs.

On the other hand, I think that if VO has the right linemates, he can be effective on a 2/3 line.  He and Skinner need to be on separate lines, though.

[#freejame]

I’m just waiting for VO to say he is more effective on the PP because he has more room to shoot on his off-wing. That validation would put me over the moon. 

[Marvin]

6 minutes ago, #freejame said:

I’m just waiting for VO to say he is more effective on the PP because he has more room to shoot on his off-wing. That validation would put me over the moon. 

IMHO, everyone is more effective shooting from their off-wing.  The angle for a one-timer on a pass from the opposite side is just better.

[#freejame]

14 minutes ago, Marvin, Sabres Fan said:

IMHO, everyone is more effective shooting from their off-wing.  The angle for a one-timer on a pass from the opposite side is just better.

You would think so,  but it is very much up for debate. Or at least on this board. 

[Broken Ankles]

1 hour ago, Marvin, Sabres Fan said:

PP goals are much rarer in the playoffs because the NHL has reverted back to the old ways of officiating the playoffs.

On the other hand, I think that if VO has the right linemates, he can be effective on a 2/3 line.  He and Skinner need to be on separate lines, though.

This is the problem.  Having one guy like VO is not an issue.  Having 8 or 9 is exactly why the Sabres would get rolled in a Playoff series.   Mitts, Asplund, Tage, VO, Skinner, Reinhart, Bjork, Eakin, Caggiula and Cozens (until he matures and grows into his body) all have the same problem.  Point is if you are going to keep a Skinner or a Tage, then you need to change the the makeup of at least 3-4 other Forwards, and VO can bring back value that some team with maybe more grit and less skill should be willing to give up something. 

Edited May 26, 2021 by Broken Ankles

[dudacek]

26 minutes ago, #freejame said:

You would think so,  but it is very much up for debate. Or at least on this board. 

I missed this. 
I can’t see how anyone who ever played would think there isn’t an advantage to shooting from your offside.

[Marvin]

27 minutes ago, Broken Ankles said:

This is the problem.  Having one guy like VO is not an issue.  Having 8 or 9 is exactly why the Sabres would get rolled in a Playoff series.   Mitts, Asplund, Tage, VO, Skinner, Reinhart, Bjork, Eakin, Caggiula and Cozens (until he matures and grows into his body) all have the same problem.  Point is if you are going to keep a Skinner or a Tage, then you need to change the the makeup of at least 3-4 other Forwards, and VO can bring back value that some team with maybe more grit and less skill should be willing to give up something. 

And after watching these playoffs, I wonder if we wouldn't be better off with a LOT of turnover like this.  It's DPE hockey out there.

[Norcal]

Really goin out on a limb here 

[dudacek]

A 2nd for Merzlikins seems more than fair for either side given the Kraken.

I’m skeptical of another team offering more than the Bruins pick. Chicago? San Jose?

[Thorny]

27 minutes ago, Norcal said:

Really goin out on a limb here 

It being even odds that ALL THREE are gone is something I'd say. Likely we trade at least 2 and a near certainty we trade at least 1

[Hoss]

2 hours ago, Thorny said:

It being even odds that ALL THREE are gone is something I'd say. Likely we trade at least 2 and a near certainty we trade at least 1

I think Risto and Jack are the two most likely to go. 

[Brawndo]

Friedman mentioned that He feels it’s a High Percentage that Eichel and Reinhart are moved

Risto is more difficult to put a percentage on. 
 

Although My Gut Feeling is that Reinhart stays. Listening to Granato on the Thats Hockey Podcast when he mentioned that players act grumpy to show that they are not content with their play, but are actually happy, I believe he was talking about Samson 

[dudacek]

Isn’t the elephant in the room as far as Eichel’s possible surgery goes is that the Sabres would ideally want the team trading for Eichel making the call on that surgery?

Or at least get some direction from potential partners as to what they are comfortable with happening?

If I read Vogl’s report correctly Eichel wants surgery scheduled for next week, with the idea it could be cancelled if it was deemed unnecessary by the pending review. The Sabres didn’t want to discuss that option until the pending review has been heard and discussed.

I believe the Sabres will deliberately stretch out the process in order to make sure Eichel suitors are on board with the next step in his treatment plan.

[Doohickie]

11 hours ago, Hoss said:

I think Risto and Jack are the two most likely to go. 

I think Jack is the most likely keep.  He's under contract.  If Reino signs a multi-year deal that changes, but as of right now, I don't think KA wants to lose both of those guys.

[MODO Hockey]

2 hours ago, Doohickie said:

I think Jack is the most likely keep.  He's under contract.  If Reino signs a multi-year deal that changes, but as of right now, I don't think KA wants to lose both of those guys.

Could not agree more, Jack should be the main focus for this org.

[Thorny]

10 hours ago, Brawndo said:

Friedman mentioned that He feels it’s a High Percentage that Eichel and Reinhart are moved

Risto is more difficult to put a percentage on. 
 

Although My Gut Feeling is that Reinhart stays. Listening to Granato on the Thats Hockey Podcast when he mentioned that players act grumpy to show that they are not content with their play, but are actually happy, I believe he was talking about Samson 

Risto outlasting both Eichel and Reinhart here would be high comedy 

[dudacek]

5 hours ago, MODO Hockey said:

Could not agree more, Jack should be the main focus for this org.

I think Adams believes Jack being the main focus of this org is something he needs to change.

Still too many variables to predict who is most likely to go, but he seems to be the player they most want to move.