Around the League Thread Part III: Free Agent Frenzy Hangover

[HookKing]

Dealing with that? The new Buffalo GM is the one that is coming off terribly. I've not read or heard and hockey guy stand on his side.

That's because most people have a limited concept of risk. Most likely Eichel's preferred surgery won't be covered by the insurance (since its never been done before in the league). That would put the entire risk (of $50M) on the owners. So, good luck with that. If Eichel wants that surgery bad enough he should have it on his own and take the $50M risk (in future lost wages) with a voided contract.

The really interesting scenario is if he does nothing, shows up for camp and doesn't pass the physical. Can the team suspend him for not getting an approved surgery? Or, does he collect a check indefinitely. Perhaps an arbiter can find a creative way to spread the risk (the real issue) in a mutually agreeable manner.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

That's because most people have a limited concept of risk. Most likely Eichel's preferred surgery won't be covered by the insurance (since its never been done before in the league). That would put the entire risk (of $50M) on the owners. So, good luck with that. If Eichel wants that surgery bad enough he should have it on his own and take the $50M risk (in future lost wages) with a voided contract.

The really interesting scenario is if he does nothing, shows up for camp and doesn't pass the physical. Can the team suspend him for not getting an approved surgery? Or, does he collect a check indefinitely. Perhaps an arbiter can find a creative way to spread the risk (the real issue) in a mutually agreeable manner.

This is an interesting and really important angle, but I also wouldn't downplay the obvious issues with the inability to move Eichel, especially since the Eichel situation is simply a symptom of overall repeated management and personnel snafus.

I have a hard time giving this guy credit for "oh he's just mitigating risk" when the rest of the franchise is also circling the drain

 

[SFKingshomer]

Yep. Watched him in San Diego and his body language is awful too, seems like he dominated in smaller ponds but just won’t work to live up to his toolset in the NHL.

Dustin Penner lite

 

[DAkings20]

Hey Evander, it’s Gary. I think we need to talk…..

 

[DAkings20]

Dustin Penner lite

Damn so that means Ritchie is going to become an overweight Qanon whacko

 

[johnjm22]

I've gotten the impression all along that Eichel's camp has been making things difficult as an excuse to get him out of Buffalo.

 

[DAkings20]

Why Eichel Wants a Disc Replacement | Podcasts - Sportsnet.ca

Pretty good listen

 

[SFKingshomer]

Damn so that means Ritchie is going to become an overweight Qanon whacko

I’m overweight and believe in some of the Qanon stuff…

 

[tny760]

I've gotten the impression all along that Eichel's camp has been making things difficult as an excuse to get him out of Buffalo.

i was too until they said he wanted a artifical disc which i thought was a rather normal surgery

seems a bit weird to me that they think a fusion is a better option for an athlete but i'm not an expert. i just thought it was pretty medically accepted that an artifical disc was a better choice than a fusion long-term

 

[DAkings20]

I’m overweight and believe in some of the Qanon stuff…

Do you like pancakes

 

[No Name The Nameless]

That's because most people have a limited concept of risk. Most likely Eichel's preferred surgery won't be covered by the insurance (since its never been done before in the league). That would put the entire risk (of $50M) on the owners. So, good luck with that. If Eichel wants that surgery bad enough he should have it on his own and take the $50M risk (in future lost wages) with a voided contract.

The really interesting scenario is if he does nothing, shows up for camp and doesn't pass the physical. Can the team suspend him for not getting an approved surgery? Or, does he collect a check indefinitely. Perhaps an arbiter can find a creative way to spread the risk (the real issue) in a mutually agreeable manner.

It's less to do with the request and more to do with Buffalo's lack of communication, history of stubbornness, and general poor handling of players and other GM's

 

[johnjm22]

Why Eichel Wants a Disc Replacement | Podcasts - Sportsnet.ca

Pretty good listen

I'm a little past half way. Listening to this doctor, he makes it sound pretty clear that the artificial disc is the best option.

Also, this issue sounds very serious. Nobody is going to trade a lot for him while this issue is still up in the air.

 

[Fishhead]

I'm a little past half way. Listening to this doctor, he makes it sound pretty clear that the artificial disc is the best option.

Also, this issue sounds very serious. Nobody is going to trade a lot for him while this issue is still up in the air.

It's easy as a fan to say "Get Eichel", but we aren't the ones taking all the risk. I don't think any GM is going to touch this unless the price is much lower.

The second opinion is the best diagnosis in sports.

 

[HookKing]

It's less to do with the request and more to do with Buffalo's lack of communication, history of stubbornness, and general poor handling of players and other GM's

Riiiight.

 

[DAkings20]

I'm a little past half way. Listening to this doctor, he makes it sound pretty clear that the artificial disc is the best option.

Also, this issue sounds very serious. Nobody is going to trade a lot for him while this issue is still up in the air.

Yup I agree. The Dr. talks about the long term effects of the regular surgery the Sabres are wanting and how in most cases that leads to additional procedures as patients age. What Eichel wants sounds a lot better short and long term. I don't see why they are so hesitant just because no other NHL player has gotten it before. It's not like Eichel would be the first ever patient to get the procedure.

 

[HookKing]

I'm a little past half way. Listening to this doctor, he makes it sound pretty clear that the artificial disc is the best option.

Also, this issue sounds very serious. Nobody is going to trade a lot for him while this issue is still up in the air.

The most important statement in the video -- "I'm not a lawyer". The guy is clueless, if Eichel wants the surgery nobody can stop him -- yep, his own body and all. I was half expecting to hear a chorus break out into "I am woman hear me roar..."

 

[tny760]

a little part of me wants jack to just go "hell with it" and get it done and force their hand to term his contract

it's a big gamble from his end but i'll be damned if i'm letting a bunch of execs override what i consider to be a sound medical decision about my body

 

[Reaper45]

I'm a little past half way. Listening to this doctor, he makes it sound pretty clear that the artificial disc is the best option.

Also, this issue sounds very serious. Nobody is going to trade a lot for him while this issue is still up in the air.

Then this doctor makes a good case against it.

 

[Statto]

i was too until they said he wanted a artifical disc which i thought was a rather normal surgery

seems a bit weird to me that they think a fusion is a better option for an athlete but i'm not an expert. i just thought it was pretty medically accepted that an artifical disc was a better choice than a fusion long-term

It’s a new surgery for a pro athlete hence the debate about course of action.

This statement was one of my big worries with Eichel. There has been a series of leaks/statements over the seasons making his views on Coaches, his Team, GM and now surgery clearly known. His agent works for him so this is on Jack. If this was a one off because of a stand-off on his injury I’d have sympathy, but as there is a pattern it just leaves me feeling it a tactical twist on the truth to try and force a trade. No GM can promise a trade in f a franchise player, the best they can do is promise a trade when value has been met and that clearly hasn’t happened. I’m not letting Buffalo off the hook as they play their part but I’d want none of this near our locker room.

If he didn’t like his linemates he’d make it known, if he were playing poorly his views of tactics would be made public soon enough. He seems like he’s more worried about his situation rather than the team, hardly Captain material (what’s the odds on that being a condition of him signing his last deal?). I’m glad we are out of it.

Given his fitness situation it was never going to happen anyway.We’ve done what I hoped, created a situation where we have a massive surplus in a position of strength to get a Premier LHD next summer. Blake has done well, resisting making a sexy move just to impress, something GM’s do all the time.

 

[DAkings20]

Most Sabres fans are all up in arms and pissed at Jack.

Umm if you needed a procedure wouldn't you personally want to select the best option for you rather than a team paid doctors recommendation?

 

[deeshamrock]

1 yr. 1.35M

 

[Fishhead]

Then this doctor makes a good case against it.

This is a great video, it's neat to see what they actually do during the two types of surgeries.

I can see why there is hesitancy, but I also see why Eichel would want more mobility as he ages. It's a cake and eat it situation though.

 

[johnjm22]

Then this doctor makes a good case against it.

He says he's worried about an artificial disc dislocating from a high impact, which is his main justification against it. And also no pro hockey or football players have it.

But there's multiple MMA guys who've had the disc replacement and they're taking more blows to the head than a hockey player ever would.

He made it sound like fusion is a great option, but according to the Doctor in the audio interview posted by @DAkings20, players who get the fusion on average only play for 1.5 more years after getting it done.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Hey Evander, it’s Gary. I think we need to talk…..

Innocent until proven guilty but drama certainly follows him around. Makes you wonder…

 

[KINGS17]

Then this doctor makes a good case against it.