Speculation: Roster Building Thread LXXXIII: Smell a smaller trade incoming?

[Avery16]

If a contending team like Vegas, Colorado, or heck even Florida was interested in him you don't think he'd waive his NMC? I disagree.

I think the likelihood of getting Zib to voluntarily leave the Rangers and NYC for a team that both wants him and has the cap room is being misrepresented in posts like this.

 

[Avery16]

I guess its time for that periodic reminder that players waive NMCs all the time in trades. Usually if a team wants to trade a player, that player doesn't really want to stick around. Though I'm sure playing for the (checks notes) 25th place overall rangers is fun, it seems like there is opportunity for other pretty good situations out there as well.

Does Zib want to leave? I haven’t seen that anywhere.

 

[duhmetreE]

Not the right piece? Not a player you win with? Lol what? Cmon. I understand being concerned with the price to acquire him, but every team could use Jack Eichel. Every team. Its not his fault has been stuck in that dump of an organization. He cant singlehandedly win hockey games. McDavid hasn’t been able to, would you turn him away too? Because situationally, its not much different. He has been there 5 years and has not played in a single playoff game. This year likely makes it 6 years of no playoffs. That wears on a guy after awhile, especially a competitor like Eichel.

Again, I can understand concerns about price... but everything else is a very questionable opinion.

Eichel is a good player. At best, he's what Zibs was offensively last year... big caveat though... minus the 2way play... thats MAJOR problem considering we need better 2way centers. Just looking at tonight, I noticed Zibs way more than Eichel... While Zibs is playing the worst hockey I've ever seen him play

We have a weak locker room to begin with. I dont see how adding Eichel helps the situation.
We need better balance to the team. I dont see how adding Eichel helps the situation.

Eichel isn't even the same stratosphere as McDavid. McDavid in New York would be a glorious day for the NHL. I'll keep throwing it out there into the universe

tldrl; big picture, I dont think Eichel is a puzzle piece that is missing

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Tough to say but if we're looking for bargains I can't imagine they're names that have popped up around here very much.

Very good point. Like who expected Trochek to be on the move last year? Someone off the radar like that could be a possibility. Maybe someone from a team in a cap squeeze. We’re going to be one of the few teams that will have some cap wiggle room going forward so maybe the flat cap and the expansion draft are things that could jostle someone loose who we never even would consider right now.

 

[Synergy27]

Eichel is a good player. At best, he's what Zibs was offensively last year... big caveat though... minus the 2way play... thats MAJOR problem considering we need better 2way centers. Just looking at tonight, I noticed Zibs way more than Eichel... While Zibs is playing the worst hockey I've ever seen him play

We have a weak locker room to begin with. I dont see how adding Eichel helps the situation.
We need better balance to the team. I dont see how adding Eichel helps the situation.

Eichel isn't even the same stratosphere as McDavid. McDavid in New York would be a glorious day for the NHL. I'll keep throwing it out there into the universe

tldrl; big picture, I dont think Eichel is a puzzle piece that is missing

I don't watch Eichel every day, but he just reeks of primadonna and lazy, super skilled player to me. Last year's Zibanejad is a better player than Eichel. I want no part of a trade for him.

I suppose it's possible that he rounds out his game as he matures and also if he's put into a better environment but that's a massive risk to take IMO.

 

[RGY]

He's their best player, their captain and he's bailing on his team nightly. He needs to own some of this, a lot of the moves and signings they made were to make him happy. This has to be the first time I can think off that the highest paid player and captain of a team wanting to leave his club. Thats a bit of a red flag for me, for me the price to get him is a huge gamble for this team given we aren't a team with a solid leadership group. Realistically the deal to get him is gonna be heavy, he's signed long term to a deal that should age well, he's a center with elite skill, i don't see b prospects and a 1st rounder in a weak draft doing it for a team like Buffalo that needs to rebuild it from scratch.

These are all fair points. Although, I thought Nash had wanted out as the highest paid player and captain in CBJ. My memory could be wrong on that.

I also wouldnt say he is bailing on his team. I think he is at 15 points in 18 games after tonight. It doesnt help that BUF had to deal with Covid, lost Ullmark, and overall even with some of their adds were never that well built.

I agree it comes down to price. But i think its a gamble worth taking if the price is tolerable enough.

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

Very good point. Like who expected Trochek to be on the move last year? Someone off the radar like that could be a possibility. Maybe someone from a team in a cap squeeze. We’re going to be one of the few teams that will have some cap wiggle room going forward so maybe the flat cap and the expansion draft are things that could jostle someone loose who we never even would consider right now.

Dylan Strome, let's goooooo

 

[Fitzy]

I don't watch Eichel every day, but he just reeks of primadonna and lazy, super skilled player to me. Last year's Zibanejad is a better player than Eichel. I want no part of a trade for him.

I suppose it's possible that he rounds out his game as he matures and also if he's put into a better environment but that's a massive risk to take IMO.

Monahan with a bigger name because of draft pick number

 

[RGY]

Eichel is a good player. At best, he's what Zibs was offensively last year... big caveat though... minus the 2way play... thats MAJOR problem considering we need better 2way centers. Just looking at tonight, I noticed Zibs way more than Eichel... While Zibs is playing the worst hockey I've ever seen him play

We have a weak locker room to begin with. I dont see how adding Eichel helps the situation.
We need better balance to the team. I dont see how adding Eichel helps the situation.

Eichel isn't even the same stratosphere as McDavid. McDavid in New York would be a glorious day for the NHL. I'll keep throwing it out there into the universe

tldrl; big picture, I dont think Eichel is a puzzle piece that is missing

Eichel is a 0.95 PPG player.

Zibanejad is a 0.69 PPG player. And this was boosted after his output last year.

Maybe you didnt mean to word it that way, but Zibanejad is not the same offensive player. At his best Eichel, is and has been the superior offensive player by far.

Youre also making a lot of assumptions about how Eichel is in the locker-room. A lot of assumptions.

Two-Way game can be argued as needing work. But could that lack of development be a byproduct of the revolving door of coaches and management up their in Buffalo? Constant turnover. Constant new voices. Its a gong show up there.

Free Eichel.

 

[itsPLkielbasa]

Edit: NVM

Thought Forsberg was a C for some reason.

 

[TheDirtyH]

Eichel is a loser with a bad attitude because Buffalo hasn't made the playoffs?

Meanwhile Connor "I'd do that deal for" McDavid has made the playoffs once with a Hart trophy winner on his second line...

 

[Dr. Ogrodnick]

Does Zib want to leave? I haven’t seen that anywhere.

Oh I'm not saying he does, but if that is where the situation heads I don't see him saying nope to a good situation.

 

[Mac n Gs]

Eichel is a loser with a bad attitude because Buffalo hasn't made the playoffs?

Meanwhile Connor "I'd do that deal for" McDavid has made the playoffs once with a Hart trophy winner on his second line...

This just points back to what was mentioned earlier: this isn't like the NBA where one player can completely alter the outcome of a team. Eichel has had absolutely zero stability in BUF between coaching and management changes, and they did an absolutely terrible job of building around him since 2015. For all of our fears about rebuilding, Gorton at least identified a core of veterans to which he could add all of our acquired young talent. BUF never did anything close to that and was fine just tanking season after season hoping they'd keep striking gold in the draft. It didn't work.

 

[duhmetreE]

Eichel is a 0.95 PPG player.

Zibanejad is a 0.69 PPG player. And this was boosted after his output last year.

Maybe you didnt mean to word it that way, but Zibanejad is not the same offensive player. At his best Eichel, is and has been the superior offensive player by far.

Youre also making a lot of assumptions about how Eichel is in the locker-room. A lot of assumptions.

Two-Way game can be argued as needing work. But could that lack of development be a byproduct of the revolving door of coaches and management up their in Buffalo? Constant turnover. Constant new voices. Its a gong show up there.

Free Eichel.

Nah, I worded it just fine.

At best, Eichel will be what Mika was LAST YEAR. Minus all the other things Mika does. Matchup against top lines, great forecheck, hustle and PK.

I dont think he makes the team as good as you think he will.

 

[Lion Hound]

Ron Duguay is really pushing the Eichel to NYR hype.

 

[SA16]

Why are you so sure he isn’t what is holding the team back?

blah blah blah heard the same story about kessel and every other player who never won anything until they finally won. He’s not holding the team back because he’s the best player in the team. Maybe the GM should get better players for the reamaining 17 skaters in the lineup.

 

[RGY]

Nah, I worded it just fine.

At best, Eichel will be what Mika was LAST YEAR. Minus all the other things Mika does. Matchup against top lines, great forecheck, hustle and PK.

I dont think he makes the team as good as you think he will.

So youre just going to completely ignore the hard data that Eichel is a superior offensive player in almost exactly 200 less games played with almost the same amount of points already. There is something to be said about that.

You also just ignored all the other factors mentioned that could play against your assumptions that Eichel wouldnt improve his 2-way game in a different environment. That is current environment hasnt exactly been conducive to being a quality all around player

 

[haveandare]

Eichel is obviously a very productive offensive player, but he’s going to cost an arm and a leg, he isn’t a strong leader by any indications at all, and he’s not enough of an upgrade to make this team much better after netting out what he’ll cost. If there’s some sweet deal with unusually favorable value, ok. Otherwise, I think people would very quickly dislike him as a ranger

 

[duhmetreE]

So youre just going to completely ignore the hard data that Eichel is a superior offensive player in almost exactly 200 less games played with almost the same amount of points already. There is something to be said about that.

You also just ignored all the other factors mentioned that could play against your assumptions that Eichel wouldnt improve his 2-way game in a different environment. That is current environment hasnt exactly been conducive to being a quality all around player

No, I didn't ignore it. I literally wrote what I thought.

I already said it would be a risk and it wont be one I'm willing to take. I'm not going to re arrange the team for Eichel.

 

[Avery16]

 

[FIRE DRURY]

Ron Duguay is really pushing the Eichel to NYR hype.

He should be pushing for a makeover because he looks like a complete tool.

Yes, Ron, BlackBerry’s were great phones. But it’s time to upgrade.

blah blah blah heard the same story about kessel and every other player who never won anything until they finally won. He’s not holding the team back because he’s the best player in the team. Maybe the GM should get better players for the reamaining 17 skaters in the lineup.

I’m not sure this is on Adams. He’s been the GM for less than a year. I feel Kim Pegula is playing a bigger role than she should with the Sabres..

The Pegulas got lucky with hiring Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott, who both helped change the Buffalo Bills culture into a good one (thus far). I don’t think the Pegulas get involved with much with the decision making there because they’re in good hands.

With the Sabres though? Complete opposite. Adams shouldn’t be the GM. There are much better candidates out there. I feel like he’s just a temporary pawn who makes the moves ownership wants, and it’s backfiring.

The sad thing is, when you look at the Sabres roster, they have most of the right key ingredients necessary to make a kick ass dish. They just lack the right chef who’s capable of combining those ingredients. Or even worse, too many chefs trying to make that dish. A classic case of too many chefs in 1 kitchen.

I wasn’t impressed with a Eichel tonight one bit. Haven’t been impressed with him all season. It makes me question if he’d be worth the sticker price. Having said that, I don’t care how much of a proud, stand up employee you are. If you’re working for an incompetent company for years and years, it’ll get to you eventually.

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

there aren't many premium center options out there in the market.

anybody interested in any of these?

ek
texier
zacha
steel
henrique

or how about inquiring the la kings? they have a nice center prospect pool. i'd ask and see if that dolan kid is available.

 

[LokiDog]

there aren't many premium center options out there in the market.

anybody interested in any of these?

ek
texier
zacha
steel
henrique

or how about inquiring the la kings? they have a nice center prospect pool. i'd ask and see if that dolan kid is available.

I mean, Henrique is in a pretty different bucket than the others and Ek is older and more experienced than the next bunch. Steel, Tex and Zacha are intriguing. Zacha has really turned it on this year, going back to the end of last year.

 

[bl02]

there aren't many premium center options out there in the market.

anybody interested in any of these?

ek
texier
zacha
steel
henrique

or how about inquiring the la kings? they have a nice center prospect pool. i'd ask and see if that dolan kid is available.

I like Texier. Little disappointing season so far (as well as the rest of the bluejackets) but he definitely has potential. Only 21 but I am sure the Jackets won't be giving up on him so easily.

 

[MysticLeviathan]

Honestly, my feeling is LA can have Eichel at this point. And if LA doesn’t trade for him, wait until his NMC kicks in where he can really pressure Buffalo to trade him to us. Unless the package is incredibly favorable to us, I just don’t see it as being worth it.