Who Gets Traded First: Taylor Hall or Jack Eichel

Welcome to another edition of 'Who Gets Traded First' where we examine two similar players from across the NHL and decide which one is more likely to change teams first. While it's not always players from the same team, division or conference, we dig deep into two players who have similarities, be it age, production, career path or the situation on their current team.

Who Gets Traded First:

Taylor Hall or Jack Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres

ON THE SURFACE:

Jack Eichel let his feelings be known this past offseason, as he's sick and tired of losing in Buffalo. The Sabres management team went out and made some 'win now' type of moves to try and smooth things over including acquiring Eric Staal, Cody Eakin and of course, signing Taylor Hall to a one-year 'showcase' contract.

Eichel's contract is one of the biggest in the league, and rightfully so, he's an elite center. The 24-year-old has six years left at $10 million per season. His no-trade protection doesn't kick in until before the 2022-23 season, so if the Sabres wanted to, they have full control to ship Eichel out of town.

Last season Eichel scored a career high 36 goals and with Taylor Hall flying down his wing, there's a chance his goals may slip a touch, but his point total should still remain more than one point per game. With an expected 56-game season next year, it's hard to predict how many points he'll end up with, but expect somewhere around 65-70.

Taylor Hall shocked the NHL when he turned down several long-term lucrative contracts to sign in Buffalo for one year and $8 million. His old coach Ralph Krueger from a brief stint in Edmonton and a chance to play with an elite center were the two biggest reasons Hall signed on the dotted line. The pandemic certainly hindered most teams from spending, but if Hall has a monster year playing on Eichel's wing, he's going to secure the bag next offseason.

SURVEY SAYS:

If the Buffalo Sabres struggle again this season, there's certainly a chance the team gets blown up. Even though Eichel doesn't have trade protection, and Hall currently does, if the experiment doesn't work, there's a chance the Sabres approach Hall about waiving his no-move at the deadline. The one-year deal was not only appealing to Hall, it was to Sabres management because of the limited commitment and a chance to flip Hall for assets.

While at this point it's a touch unlikely either get moved, if I had to pick, my guess would be Taylor Hall gets traded first from the Buffalo Sabres.