Speculation: Roster Building Thread I (2021 Offseason) - And so it begins...

[Mac n Gs]

Eichel is a phenomenal player, but the looming neck injury/surgery and cap hit make it a bad fit for us going forward.

Plus, he’s only like a 44% career faceoff guy, so that doesn’t fit the gritty, tough mold we need in a 1C

 

[Larrys13]

What about something simple for the Oilers/Rangers? Something like:

Khaira for Hajek/Reunanen

Gives the Oilers a young, cheap depth d-man. Gives the Rangers a 4th liner who plays a heavy game. Similar ages.

Or the Wild, as they will more than likely lose Dumba. Hartman for one of the Rangers young d-men and say Howden?

 

[Fitzy]

Eichel is a phenomenal player, but the looming neck injury/surgery and cap hit make it a bad fit for us going forward.

Plus, he’s only like a 44% career faceoff guy, so that doesn’t fit the gritty, tough mold we need in a 1C

You may be joking a bit, but you're not wrong. Eichel isn't Sidney Crosby, he doesn't play with an edge at all.

 

[rangers1314]

Elliotte says he thinks there would be NYR interest in torts, but he wouldn’t be “the front runner”

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Are you kidding me?

I don't get it. How is that even possible? Shouldn't the team doctors be checking him from head to toe, fix him and pay the bill?

Sorry, but are they trying to get him dealt before they have to pay for that!? Like Ottawa stingyness?

 

[Tob]

That'll depend on Drury's decision there Kaapo.

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

I get the injury concerns, but Eichel's contract is pretty decent for a top-flight center entering his prime. I get the PTSD around here from bringing in marquee names, but not sure why many are downplaying his abilities.

 

[rangers1314]

That'll depend on Drury's decision there Kaapo.

Sucks, I wish someone would have given him a shot with Strome and Panarin...oh wait

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Buffalo is a mess. How many times can they start over before their fan base deserts them? At this point if I were ownership, I would tell my G.M. Just field a competitive team for now; screw the future, worry about that later.
They passed over Rossi and Perfetti just to draft the best shot in last year’s draft, Jack Quinn. I would imagine they had ideas to place him on Eichel’s right.
Whether it’s L.A., Columbus or who knows where he is dealt, I wouldn’t be surprised if Quinn is included in the deal.

 

[fm]

I don't get it. How is that even possible? Shouldn't the team doctors be checking him from head to toe, fix him and pay the bill?

Sorry, but are they trying to get him dealt before they have to pay for that!? Like Ottawa stingyness?

Almost certainly. Who knows how he'll bounce back. It will almost certainly diminish his trade value even if he does end up coming back fine (after a hypothetical trade). Again, it's almost certainly Buffalo's ownership group pushing. This is a scumbag business move, NOT a hockey move. Who even knows if there is a permanent hockey ops dept in place.

 

[dshea19]

I get the injury concerns, but Eichel's contract is pretty decent for a top-flight center entering his prime. I get the PTSD around here from bringing in marquee names, but not sure why many are downplaying his abilities.

I think it is the cost vs return and the real concern of neck injury. I would also add that he doesn't address the real issues with this team. He doesn't win faceoffs, and is not a particularly physical player, especially more concerning if his neck is going to continue to cause problems.

 

[Off Sides]

I too do not understand, my guess, maybe in the players contracts teams need to give their permission for players to get surgery, and Buffalo is not giving that permission.

If so, the motives behind that.. I can not think of any which do not seem nefarious in some manner.

 

[Larrys13]

Wild Strome Reunanen NYR 3rd (21)
LAK Buch Dumba
NYR Greenway Villardi LAK 2nd (22)

Blackhawks Blackwell Skinner
NYR Zadorov

sign Zajac ( 2 mil)

Bread Zib Kakko
LAF Chytil Kravtsov
CK Chytil Barron
Greenway Zajac Rooney/ Ronning

Lindgren Fox
Miller/ Trouba
Zadorov/Lundkvist
Jones

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Elliotte says he thinks there would be NYR interest in torts, but he wouldn’t be “the front runner”

Speaking as if Quinn is already gone.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Almost certainly. Who knows how he'll bounce back. It will almost certainly diminish his trade value even if he does end up coming back fine (after a hypothetical trade). Again, it's almost certainly Buffalo's ownership group pushing. This is a scumbag business move, NOT a hockey move. Who even knows if there is a permanent hockey ops dept in place.

Are you kidding me? (jk, I fully understand. That's really f***ed up.)

 

[KingDeathMetal]

I think we should move on Eichel. I've gone back and forth on whether we should do this, or wait and see about Barkov, but here's what it comes down to for me...

-The neck surgery isn't as bad as it sounds. Players across all sports have an 80% full recovery rate from this particular surgery, and I believe it's higher for hockey (there's a study I'm too lazy to find again, but I've been reading a lot about this). If he elects to get the surgery now, odds are he'll be ready to be on the ice, fully recovered, by October/November. Worst case scenario, he misses a month of the season.

-Eichel's contract is fine. If the choice is between him, and going after Barkov, then from a cap perspective Eichel is the wiser choice. Or do you not think Barkov will command $11m-$12m+ as a UFA? He's at the very least getting the same deal as Eichel, who is also a full year younger than Barkov.

-Given the injury, the possibility of a trade request, and the potential for Barkov to be available, Eichel's trade value will significantly decrease. Potentially, it will cost equal or less to obtain Eichel this summer than Barkov next Feb. And to be honest, if Florida makes a deep run (or wins) this playoffs and/or continues their success into next season, I don't see them trading Barkov at the deadline, nor do I see Barkov signing anywhere else. Why would he? And Florida has the money to overpay him.

-Eichel's not gritty? Who cares? Are Marner and Tavares gritty? Drai and McD? How gritty are Crosby and Malkin? Talent wins down the middle in this league and Eichel is arguably a Top 5-10 Center when healthy, or has the potential to be. We can and will acquire grit throughout the lineup. Morgan Barron is your grit 4th line C, just trade out Chytil for a 3rd line C who can win faceoffs and bang. It's easier to do than to find a version of Eichel with grit.

Bottom line, we HAVE to be in the market for a top tier center, there will not be an opportunity to pick up someone as young and good as Eichel besides possibly Barkov, and I've explained why waiting on Barkov might not be worth it.

If there is chance to ice an Eichel/Zib 1-2 punch down the middle, and the cost is reasonable (it will be), we have to do it.

 

[Machinehead]

Let Eichel whine somewhere else.

Leans heavily on PP production, injury risk, can't win a faceoff, probably makes more than he's worth.

We don't need a glorified Zibanejad when we have the actual Zibanejad.

 

[RangerBoy]

Anything else?

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

I think a 5th or 6th.

 

[Machinehead]

I love how there's simultaneous rumors about trading for Eichel and rehiring Torts.

It's like window shopping for a glass house and a BB-gun.

 

[rangers1314]

Speaking as if Quinn is already gone.

I should add context. He isn't sure there is a change coming.

Says Drury will see what comes of exit interviews.

 

[Kaapo Bustfreniere]

I think a 5th or 6th.

for Eichel? Yeah, sounds about fair value. If they add a 7th, that is.

 

[Profet]

I don't think I've ever seen a player not wear at least one piece of team gear at a press conference (unless they were wearing a suit).

 

[Cmox]

Anything else?

This kid is a mess. I feel for him and this info being public probably indicates he's going to be given away.

 

[CLW]

I love how there's simultaneous rumors about trading for Eichel and rehiring Torts.

It's like window shopping for a glass house and a BB-gun.

Someone said Buffalo is a mess...