If Rangers signing of Ryan Reaves as UFA warrants a thread, the continuing risk of GM Glen Slats Sather aka Tom Wilson (s/off) signing Jack Eichel of BUF to fill the needed C1/C1A merits its own. If you have not already seen pj post in NHL Free Agency thread last night, and with his permission I'd like to re-post this here.
Please note: Peter Fish--see the signatories of the quoted statement--is not only Eichel's agent, but also the agent for nominal GM Drury. This out of control media battle over a player's medical condition, insistence on a trade, rivals some of the worst we've seen in any sport of player vs his Club.
The Sabres
pjcas18 : 7/30/2021 9:54 pm : link : reply
are a clown show. this sounds beyond repair and now Eichel's value *should* be sinking. You know some team (hopefully not the Habs) will bail them out, this sounds irreparable. |
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7lrXkKXsAgw1jQ?format=jpg& name=large I can't get the statement to appear in quote screen, but click on the above url. If the Rangers proceed in any fashion to acquire him in the many months long linkage of Eichel to the Rangers, to the ramparts, making an already controversial off-season simply over the top.
From the read of Eichel's agents' position in the link above, it is a certainty that it is all about his neck and what kind of discectomy is to be performed, when, and what part of next season he might be deemed fit to return.
I couldn't get the image to appear in the OP, or here, but Eichel's agents (Peter Fish also being Drury's) declared open hostilities against BUF FO, accusing them of stalling a way forward and sabotaging Eichel's path forward to getting back on the ice.
It highlights what you and I have been saying for weeks now on various threads: any team proposing to part with pieces of any value better damn well have a first hand look--perhaps more, even a say--at his records and best surgical outcome.
Right now, it's toxic.
Because if Eichel is only going to count at $5 million against the cap the remaining five years of his contract, then the Rangers would be in position to extend Mika Zibanejad in the $9 million range and present a powerhouse one-two punch down the middle for the foreseeable future.
But here is the rub to this gobsmacking nightmare, Brooks hinting that Drury might just gut the kids to acquire a neck-injured, compromised Eichel:
Would you make this deal?
A healthy Eichel I'd tade Kakko, Chytil, Jones and a 1st.
None of those players will be as good as Eichel and other than Kakko none project to be even special in any way.
but is or will Eichel be healthy?
BUF retaining half his salary changes a lot for me, basically Eichel getting Danault money (less actually if BUF retains half)
Given the potential stakes and what would be given up, and I repeat myself, I don't see how a deal gets done without the acquiring team, whichever it is, demanding not only medical records but its own look at Eichel, with updated MRIs if acquiring team docs advise.
The apparent gap between Adams and Eichel's agents in their approach to medical repair should make suitors very, very wary. What guarantee is there that following surgical repair that Eichel is anything close to the same player, anything a hard hit against the boards from re-injuring the vertebrae or one next to it, anything close to playing competitive hockey again? None, except the opinions of docs who may be very invested in the outcome.
I'm a Devils fan but If I were the Rangers I wouldn't offer Kakko either. I would offer Kravtsov, Chytil, 1st and 2nd round picks, and a lesser prospect than Jones. That's only if Eichel were cleared by team doctors.
Initial premise of any deal hinges on Eichel health, obviously, but it's hard to look at this and posit that health is black and white in a case like this. Shades of gray? The more doubt, the greater the post-op limitation risk, the package has to reduce commensurately.
Jay, I don't mind parting with Jones that much, whoever a deal is for, I think Nils, Schneider, and Robertson have more value.
If I'm not mistaken, two or more of NYR off-season adds, the lesser ones after Goodrow, and incl. Reaves, are from Western Conference, where presumably Gallant's familiarity with these players is greater, e.g., Blais.
link - ( New Window )
...The New York Rangers are absolutely interested in Eichel, confirmed multiple sources, none of whom believe (as of Saturday night) a trade is imminent. The Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets are also interested. Will the Minnesota Wild circle back? Will other teams reengage, especially if the Sabres are willing to retain some salary? It sounds like it...
Add in rumblings Eichel might be a bit of an ass, and it makes for an awkward situation.
I feel bad for Zibanejad. He has earned a massive, massive deal. I just don't think the Rangers can be the ones to pay it.
Quote:
(Pagnotta)Quote:
...The New York Rangers are absolutely interested in Eichel, confirmed multiple sources, none of whom believe (as of Saturday night) a trade is imminent. The Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets are also interested. Will the Minnesota Wild circle back? Will other teams reengage, especially if the Sabres are willing to retain some salary? It sounds like it...
Heh, what team stands out like a sore thumb in that group? Cassidy and Sweeney saying, yeah! Bid it up, higher, let Drury be hoisted on his own petard.
Not sure, I think Krejci "retiring" caught Boston by surprise.
They need a 2C.
And Bergeron is old himself, I can see Boston seriously involved in Eichel.
I just don't think they have the right young players to put the right offer together.
With Eichel (healthy) BOS is probably cup favorites (depending on their net situation).
That's what it's like with you and the NHL, lol.
All of which is to say, in my way, fair point on BOS