You keep speaking as if Eichel has all these weaknesses. I have responded in kind with my rebuttals to you in that you talk as if Eichel has peaked at 24 years old. You ignore that Buffalo could be and is likely a large part of the issues in general. I am not going to critique Eichel’s 2-way game or defensive capabilities when I admittedly have not watched him on a regular basis. But I would venture to guess many of you havent either.
What I do know is he drives offense. He has a much more consistent body of work in his career than Zibanejad does. And the only reason Zib is brought into this is because his deal is up after next season and we have to plan for that. Eichel gives us insurance as a proven commodity who is ONLY 24 years old. You cannot assume Barkov will be there or that another center will become available. And what if its a center who is 27-28 and we are paying just as much of a premium for that center? We also cannot just assume Chytil will be able to take on the responsibilities and pressure of being the 1C. Do we then make a bad deal and sign Zib longterm with the risk of more injuries? Eichel is signed longterm and is 0.96 PPG player. Thats worth 75-85 points per season in that hell hole.
I have repeatedly stated that the trade cost gives me pause. I have said that Chytil being included especially gives me pause. We have accumulated so many assets that if we cannot manage a deal without Chytil then we should look elsewhere. I have mentioned Elias Lindholm a lot. But to totally dismiss Eichel is silly and its negligent. He is an elite 1C. He has room to grow. Whatever shortcomings he has in his game can be improved.
I do think that if you add Eichel to Zibanejad you are putting yourself in playoff contention and further. One more LD being what would remain as most pressing to be addressed followed by a quality bottom 6 player.
For the amount Eichel will improve this team, he will not be worth what'd we have to give up. That's my sticking point. I think Eichel will be a luxury. Offensively, it'd be like going from a Ferrari to a Koenigsegg.. There's a difference but it was more than enough already.
We have line drivers already though, on wing. Regular season points is nice but it's not going to win Cups. I brought up Zibs offense to prove, that we've had that production before. It's Zibs 2 way/complete overall game that really helps the team.
Eichel is a great talent. I just think its bad asset management to trade for him. 1C will be relative on this team. I'd rather have 3 good 2way centers, that can matchup and play whenever.
I dont know if Zibs is the answer long term but there's many scenarios that can play out here.. Hypothetically, If Zibs takes 5 year deal @ $7M.. Assuming he can return to form, which I can't see how he forgot to play hockey in 1 year. Add Chytil for a 4-5 year deal at or around $3M.. So, it could be Zibs and Chytil making $10M for 5 years, WHILE keeping Lundkvist, Buch and our picks. There's many variables here and I dont think we need Eichel to win, or he's even close to the best option.
Maybe my vision is just completely different than yours. 2way centers and our absurd depth is how I believe we will win.
Panarin Zibs Buch
Lafreniere Chytil Kakko
Kreider Strome Kravtsov
Miller Trouba
Lindgren Fox
Hajek Lundkvist
Robertson Schneider
Shesty
If we can upgrade Strome and/or Zibs with cheaper, better and/or younger 2way alternatives, I'm all for it. Age and skill is not why I do not like Eichel. It's his overall game. IF, that's a major IF... If he can play a complete game like Zibs has shown over the past 3 seasons, it would make more sense. I haven't seen that from him in his short career. I honestly dont even know how he will handle/perform in Playoff hockey since he's never been there. There's so many 'unknowns' for the cost..
If our management and scouts believe he can fill all those needs, then I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. Buf if we're replacing Zibs with Eichel, we are very weak/green defensively, down the middle. That's not a good recipe for winning IMO.
