What to do about Jack Eichel?

[darko]

Hard pass from me.

 

[darko]

Miller, Kakko, Kravtsov for Eichel.

No thanks. Stay the course.

 

[LetsGoRangers2021]

Absolutely not.

 

[Row I Goon]

Who....?

 

[bbny]

I freely admit that the cost of Eichel and the roster aftermath is a primary concern for me.

It's not just what you give up for Eichel, it's the series of follow-up moves that makes me wonder --- especially if you move a guy like Chytil. Now you're looking for a second line center, while moving Zibanejad, and knowing that Strome is probably still best served as a transition piece.

It's one thing to live in a scenario where you move Zibanejad and Buch and replace them Eichel and Kravtsov in the lineup.

But when you start including Chytil and Kravtsov and Lundkvist, it's not just a high price to pay, it's the potential ramifications down the line as you look for cheaper talent to come into the lineup and help fill in the holes. So making a move like this potentially has a far-reaching impact.

I think that's why it's at least worth considering if the Rangers might be better off going with "lesser" option who actually makes for a better overall impact when you factor in cost and roster construction.

Another nagging feeling for me is the fact that while not knowing what Eichel can do with the Rangers is a good/tempting thought, it can also cut the other way as well.

Yes, it's easy to envision a 40 goal/95 point center (depending on who's left on the roster). But you can also have pause because we have no idea how Eichel will perform when it really counts --- namely the playoffs. So while we're talking about a supremely skilled forward, we're also talking about a guy who still has some gray areas on the treasure map as well.

Not saying he's not worth it. But it doesn't feel like a simple decision for me.

At this rate, Zibanejad will get paid like a 2nd line center rather than a 1st line center. Eichel/Zibanejad down the middle sounds good to me. Even with Zibanejad playing well under expectations offensively, he brings all the other factors that you look for in a defensively responsible forward. If we can lock him up for 7 million instead of 9.5-10.5 million like he was on track for, it doesn't seem unreasonable to think we can keep him as a #2 center.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Lol the two people who voted for anything we have are a wild fan and that clown who tried to equate an Eichel return to the one Lindros got 30 years ago.

 

[Rempe73]

Hard pass. His attitude and effort concerns me. His play in his own end and without the puck is questionable. Does his offensive impact overwhelm the negative qualities enough to the tune of $10M?

We need more guys harder to play against not another finesse player.

Not only that, but imo his offense alone doesn’t even justify that 10 mil AAV. Even worse when, like you said, you consider his shortcomings on defense and his effort level. I wanted him at the beginning of the season, but I don’t like his attitude at all. If I’m potentially trading Chytil and/or Kravtsov (in addition to other assets), I want someone I am confident in. Eichel is not that guy. HARD pass.

 

[DialUp]

We need players from healthy, well coached, non-toxic teams if we are going to make any trades. Big ol' thumbs way down to Eichel.

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

Lol the two people who voted for anything we have are a wild fan and that clown who tried to equate an Eichel return to the one Lindros got 30 years ago.

Going on other teams' forums and voting for the dumbest thing you can in the polls is underrated

 

[NYR]

Is this thread really still a thing?

 

[KevinFinnerty]

I don't want to slight Point or Backstrom because they're elite players but I think you can certainly win in this league without that flashy, high-offense #1 center. Like you mentioned, the Bruins lack that sort of center. Toews in Chicago was productive during those cup runs but certainly wasn't that flashy player and the Hawks had all kinds of crap lined up behind him. 5 of the last 10 cup winners lacked that guy on their team, so it's certainly possible if you have the depth elsewhere.

It's very hard to add a $10m player without running the risk of seriously disrupting things either immediately or down the line. That's dropping a huge rock in the water and there will be short and long term fallout from it. We've got elite players at all other positions. I think we can manage with "just" a couple 60ish point centers, but finding those guys is another story.

Strome and Zibby are both 60 pt centers last year. Need better 2 way forwards. Strome, Kakko, Lafreniere, Chytil, Digi, Blackwell, Gauthier, where is the 2way hockey there?

 

[NewLife]

I'd wait it out till Eichel publicly says "f*** this, I'm out". Then Sabres are screwed especially (hopefully) it happens when his trade protection kicks in. Then a good deal can be made, maybe someone tops our offer then so be it. Noway I would give up a Kakko, Lafreniere, Lundkvist for him and so long Eichel is "on board" they have every right to ask for any of them.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Eichel’s a hat trick away from some offering Laf for him.

 

[Rongomania]

Been so sour on dude since that last time we played him.

He and pld showed that they give up when things don't go their way and they get frustrated.

get that shit away from this team attempting to build a new identity.

 

[eco's bones]

I really think the main problem with Eichel is the $10 mil cap. We really have to make money and term go their way. If we weren’t looking at a flat cap ceiling for the next two, three, four years there might be a way to work it. For us it would mean moving either Kreider or Trouba with young players and or prospects and draft picks. Not sure that Buffalo would be interested in taking on either Kreider or Trouba. Kind of think they wouldn’t. They already have the Skinner contract to deal with. Moving Trouba might also destabilize our D.

 

[Waivers]

I’ll entertain the idea of a trade. 2021 1st, Kravtsov to get the ball rolling. Otherwise, I’m not interested in gutting our pipeline for him.

 

[Calad]

Sit on our hands until his NMC kicks in, then get him at a big discount

 

[wolfgaze]

Not interested due to the high cap hit and only 5 (full) years remaining until FA... That gives the Rangers a limited 5 year window to go all the way in order to justify the loss of the significant assets they will give up in a potential trade... It will likely take another 2-3 years for our younger players to mature and improve before we could possibly field a line-up that could compete in the playoffs with the more experienced and veteran-laden teams in the league... So you're looking at what, a 2 maybe 3 year window where our roster might have enough depth and experience to compete and potentially advance through the playoffs? And if nothing comes of the gamble? Then likely Rangers Rebuild 2.0, which would be pretty brutal for the fans... We bleed blue, and we also bleed organizational disappointment (lol)

If the circumstances were different, and Eichel had let's say 6 years at $8 mil cap hit remaining on a bridge deal that would take him right up to FA - that would look a heck of a lot more attractive than 5 years at $10 mil cap remaining... Rangers have the youngest (most inexperienced) team in the league this season and committing to a 5 year window of 'going all the way' while losing significant young assets (and/or draft picks) in the process is an extremely risky proposition and one (given the history) that I have little to no confidence the organization can pull off...

If it's going to take another few years or so for our younger players to develop and gain the necessary experience to transform the roster into one capable of doing some damage in the postseason - then I'd much rather they take the more patient approach and wait to see how the market develops in terms of players becoming available via trades or through free agency... Plus some of our more valuable prospects may further increase their trade value during that time through continued development and strong play...

 

[ElLeetch]

Not for what they are asking for.

He's in his 6th NHL season, and has yet to fulfill his full promise. only better than 80 points once. he's closer to a 70 point player on average. Basically what we hope Kakko to be, so why trade Kakko, plus several other assets, for an older, more expensive version of himself?

 

[AirGut]

Not for what they are asking for.

He's in his 6th NHL season, and has yet to fulfill his full promise. only better than 80 points once. he's closer to a 70 point player on average. Basically what we hope Kakko to be, so why trade Kakko, plus several other assets, for an older, more expensive version of himself?

Honestly Eichel firing on all cylinders could be just as good if not better than Matthews. And I would give up Kakko for someone like Matthews ANYDAY

 

[jay from jersey]

Honestly Eichel firing on all cylinders could be just as good if not better than Matthews. And I would give up Kakko for someone like Matthews ANYDAY

When he’s motivated he’s absolutely one of the best in the game. He takes over the game like panarin does. Eichel does it at full speed though whereas panarin slows things down and baits the hook

 

[NYSPORTS]

Honestly Eichel firing on all cylinders could be just as good if not better than Matthews. And I would give up Kakko for someone like Matthews ANYDAY

buy low/sell high. Buying Eichel low will cost you more than Kakko low. Also, we don't know what Kakko can become and we don't know if Eichel is a Matthews.

IMO, you sit and wait for Kakko to develop and find a different center or move a different player for Eichel.

 

[Anthony5967]

buy low/sell high. Buying Eichel low will cost you more than Kakko low. Also, we don't know what Kakko can become and we don't know if Eichel is a Matthews.

IMO, you sit and wait for Kakko to develop and find a different center or move a different player for Eichel.

I'd say Eichel is closer to Matthews than Kakko is to Eichel at this point. C's win championships.

 

[Peltz]

If the circumstances were different, and Eichel had let's say 6 years at $8 mil cap hit remaining on a bridge deal that would take him right up to FA - that would look a heck of a lot more attractive than 5 years at $10 mil cap remaining... Rangers have the youngest (most inexperienced) team in the league this season and committing to a 5 year window of 'going all the way' while losing significant young assets (and/or draft picks) in the process is an extremely risky proposition and one (given the history) that I have little to no confidence the organization can pull off...

Yea the contract sucks. It's not worth it.

 

[n8]

Eichel's cap hit means you lose one - if not more - of the young guys down the road because the team is simply out of cap to pay them what they deserve. Like Adam Fox is gonna get a big raise. Lindgren will need a decent raise. If all goes well Kakko and Laf will need big raises.