Trade Bait: If the Sabres trade Jack Eichel, 3 deals to consider

The Buffalo Sabres have become the punchline of the NHL. From firing 22 employees, including someone who wasn't supposed to be fired, so they had to hire him back, all the way to not flooding their practice rink and having the boards warp, it seems like Buffalo is completely lost. Sabres' captain, Jack Eichel has made his feelings known, so if Buffalo doesn't have any success this season, expect Eichel to demand a trade.

If the Sabres traded Jack Eichel, here are 3 deals they may want to consider:

To the Arizona Coyotes for forwards Christian Dvorak and Lawson Crouse, along with defenseman Jakob Chychrun. This deal would give the Sabres three pieces to help kick-start a rebuild in Buffalo, and it would also leave enough talent in Arizona that Jack Eichel would be surrounded with a team capable of winning some games. Derek Stepan would move down the lineup, which is much needed in Arizona, and Eichel and Phil Kessel could do some damage together. The Coyotes have the cap space needed to make room for Eichel, it will come down to what the Sabres are after in their negotiations.

To the Calgary Flames for forwards Elias Lindholm and Sam Bennett, goalie prospect Tyler Parsons and draft picks. If the Sabres move Eichel it won't be to an eastern conference team unless the package is legendary. This deal gives the Sabres a #1 center to replace Eichel, a high-end prospect in Bennett who has yet to find his game, and Parsons, who is a highly touted prospect in the crease. Lindholm is on the cheap, making under $5 million per season, and has enjoyed some success of late with a career high 78 points last season. Would Calgary go Lindholm and Noah Hanifin for Jack Eichel, 2 for 1? Perhaps that would get more attention from Buffalo GM, Kevyn Adams.


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To the San Jose Sharks for Tomas Hertl, Kevin Labanc, and defenceman, Mario Ferraro. This deal gives the Sabres three NHL capable players, including Hertl who is ready to break out. The Sharks get Eichel who would step in and take the torch from the Joe Thornton era. With their core signed long term, but aging quick, the Sharks could use some 'young blood' in Eichel to help build around. Trading a superstar is never easy for anyone, including insiders, so perhaps the Sharks would even need to give up some more in this deal. Insert draft picks here...

It's been widely reported that Jack Eichel is on team's radar including the Boston Bruins. Trading a superstar is one thing, trading him within your division is another. It feels like if Eichel does get moved, it would be to the west coast. Although, as we all know now, expect the unexpected out of Buffalo. They can't even fire people properly.

Photo credit:  John Crouch/Icon Sportswire