Ben Shelley: Targeting Jack Eichel doesn’t make sense for Ducks

While I agree in theory, the Ducks do need a star if for no other reason that to give their fans some hope and enhance interest in the team. I watched enough games last season to see glimmers of hope, but not enough to think the team is even close to competitive. While an Eichel-like star might not make them significantly more competitive, it would certainly draw attention and that may increase the interest of other good players looking to switch teams. Perhaps my reasoning is flawed because I no longer attend games nor watch them nightly (the games are always late on the east coast), but a star player sounds like a reasonable way to bring the Ducks back to relevance. If Ovie was available (and interested), would you feel the same way about giving up key players and prospects?

This is a moot point because no one knows what's going on with his neck surgery. A doctor I play golf with is familiar with the surgery Eichel wants and he said it will cure his pain or it will be career-ending. There's no in-between! He thinks because of Eichel's age there is a pretty good chance he'll be OK, but I can't see trading the Ducks' future on a roll of the dice. I agree with you, Ben. Let the Kings have him.

All of this depends on the ask. I would be ok with something of the following:

3rd overall in 2021 Draft
1 of Comtois or Terry
1 of Larsson or Mahura
1 of Henrique, Silfverburg, or Shattenkirk

I realize that is not what the Sabres blogger on Hockeybuzz expects, but the Sabres are in a tough spot here. The last few trades of major players is far lower than most people expected with one exception - Matt Duchene. Karlsson and O'Reilly were both bigger names than Matt Duchene and did not fetch large returns.

Not only that, how many teams can realistically afford Jack's salary right now? The return for Jack Eichel is unlikely to be much more of what is shown above.

As a Kings fan, I very much hope Anaheim empties out their prospect pipeline and trades for Eichel.

The 3OA would probably be the centrepiece in the deal. I fully agree; they can't move Zegras or Drysdale.

The best option for them if they wanted to entertain acquiring Eichel is to also see what they can get from other teams with their other assets to liquidate their team, and then offer more quantity to the Sabres.

Henrique upped his stock at the World Championships; are they going to ride Gibson through the rebuild? Moving players like this may give them more currency to acquire Eichel. The Sabres shouldn't acquire these players, but if those players are sold of to... say... Calgary/etc, then what the Ducks get back might get shifted over to the Sabres to offer them the best deal.

The 3OA would probably be the centrepiece in the deal. I fully agree; they can't move Zegras or Drysdale.

The best option for them if they wanted to entertain acquiring Eichel is to also see what they can get from other teams with their other assets to liquidate their team, and then offer more quantity to the Sabres.

I heard Rakell was an option; Henrique upped his stock at the World Championships; are they going to ride Gibson through the rebuild? Moving players like this may give them more currency to acquire Eichel. The Sabres shouldn't acquire these players, but if those players are sold of to... say... Calgary, then what the Ducks get back might get shifted over to the Sabres to offer them the best deal.
- archromat

I am not trying to be a Homer hear, but 1 of Zegras or Drysdale would need to come back in the trade.

It's just kind of hard to figure what exactly is a fair return for Eichel is. I watched this tv show that said " a fair deal is when neither side is happy." The fact that Eichel is injured and making 10 million a year makes that too hard to do.
Sabers fans don't want to admit he's damaged goods. And I doubt they change there minds. Maybe In a couple of years they look back a realize they should have traded him.
But this also doesn't help the Ducks. We'll still be waiting around tring to get a top line center. Hoping on another draft lottery. Looks like Ducks fans are just going to have to be happy with whoever the third pick gives us.
And the end same result. Both franchise's fan bases are going to be unhappy. Just like if we made a fair deal.

It's just kind of hard to figure what exactly is a fair return for Eichel is. I watched this tv show that said " a fair deal is when neither side is happy." The fact that Eichel is injured and making 10 million a year makes that too hard to do.
Sabers fans don't want to admit he's damaged goods. And I doubt they change there minds. Maybe In a couple of years they look back a realize they should have traded him.
But this also doesn't help the Ducks. We'll still be waiting around tring to get a top line center. Hoping on another draft lottery. Looks like Ducks fans are just going to have to be happy with whoever the third pick gives us.
And the end same result. Both franchise's fan bases are going to be unhappy. Just like if we made a fair deal.
- Eman87654

I understand where your coming from, if I was the Ducks I would just keep the rebuild going for the time being. It's been very quiet on his neck situation, people are saying he needs the surgery while other things have been said that the rehab might be working, some think he is using it as a tool just to get out. But even so, I think he will be 100% next year and that's why atleast one blue chip prospect has to be included.

I understand where your coming from, if I was the Ducks I would just keep the rebuild going for the time being. It's been very quiet on his neck situation, people are saying he needs the surgery while other things have been said that the rehab might be working, some think he is using it as a tool just to get out. But even so, I think he will be 100% next year and that's why atleast one blue chip prospect has to be included.
- Buff36

The # 3 pick will give you a blue chip prospect.

The # 3 pick will give you a blue chip prospect.
- Eman87654

Nobody knows that, especially with what has happened this year. But if you want Jack you have to pay the piper. I mean if it was reversed and you guys had Eichel and he wanted out, I pretty sure you would be asking about Dahlin or Cozens.

I think it’s an order that makes sense is one that was proposed and that’s trading Gibson to a contender… Hello Carolina… Or Pittsburgh…

And either keeping that or flipping those pieces with the third overall to Buffalo…
Reinhart Would be my preferred target…

Nobody knows that, especially with what has happened this year. But if you want Jack you have to pay the piper. I mean if it was reversed and you guys had Eichel and he wanted out, I pretty sure you would be asking about Dahlin or Cozens.
- Buff36

No. But if you offered me your 1 one pick this year, and 2 young middle 6 fowards ( which you don't have) and ukka Pekka Lehtonen I might do it. It depends on how bad Eichel's neck is . And how bad Eichel wants out.

I think it’s an order that makes sense is one that was proposed and that’s trading Gibson to a contender… Hello Carolina… Or Pittsburgh…

And either keeping that or flipping those pieces with the third overall to Buffalo…
Reinhart Would be my preferred target…
- dozerD10

Sounds like there’s 7 or 8 teams in on Rhino.

No. But if you offered me your 1 one pick this year, and 2 young middle 6 fowards ( which you don't have) and ukka Pekka Lehtonen I might do it. It depends on how bad Eichel's neck is . And how bad Eichel wants out.
- Eman87654

What do you mean we don't have. And to say No about asking for 2 high-end pieces for Jack then your bullsh!ting, cause any GM would be doing that.

I don't think the Ducks should make the trade. Keep Drysdale and Zegras, draft 3rd overall and top 5 again next year. As much as I love Eichel, that's the better path for the Ducks.

Zegras, Drysdale, Edvinsson or Beniers plus a 2022 top 5 pick is a hell of a good place to be in if you're the Ducks going forward.

Sounds like there’s 7 or 8 teams in on Rhino.
- Buff36

He’s really raised his game and been pretty consistently good for a few years now…

I agree with you and that's why I don't think the Ducks should make the trade. Keep Drysdale and Zegras, draft 3rd overall and top 5 again next year. As much as I love Eichel, that's the better path for the Ducks.
- Kinger411

The only thing I’ll say to this is if you can trade Gibson..To a team right on the cusp.. then you’re gonna have a nice little return.

If there’s one thing this playoffs have shown, a good goalie can take you a long way…
Hello Florida, Carolina, Pittsburgh…. Toronto…

I agree with you and that's why I don't think the Ducks should make the trade. Keep Drysdale and Zegras, draft 3rd overall and top 5 again next year. As much as I love Eichel, that's the better path for the Ducks.
- Kinger411

I agree!!!

The only thing I’ll say to this is if you can trade Gibson..To a team right on the cusp.. then you’re gonna have a nice little return.

If there’s one thing this playoffs have shown, a good goalie can take you a long way…
Hello Florida, Carolina, Pittsburgh…. Toronto…
- dozerD10

Only thing with trading Gibson (yes a monster haul, I agree) is how confident are the Ducks in Dostal as your future goalie? If the answere is "confident" then you make the Gibson trade.

Zegras, Drysdale, 3rd overall this year, top 5 next (atleast top 10) and a Gibson return. The Ducks have solid options for the future if they want. I'd love to see ANA and LA flush with young talent. Obviously LA has a solid future of high end young specs. Even though I live out east I always loved those games when both were competitive.

What do you mean we don't have. And to say No about asking for 2 high-end pieces for Jack then your bullsh!ting, cause any GM would be doing that.
- Buff36

Its not bull. Your not admitting that Eichel is a deteriorating asset. Injury, 10 million dollar salary, wanting to be traded, no move clause coming in next year. Sometimes you have to cut you loses. And I have asked the Ducks to do the same. I was aginst the Ryan Kesler contract extension when we were right in the middle of a playoff run tring to win the cup. So no. it's not bull. If it's a good move for your team you do it.

Its not bull. Your not admitting that Eichel is a deteriorating asset. Injury, 10 million dollar salary, wanting to be traded, no move clause coming in next year. Sometimes you have to cut you loses. And I have asked the Ducks to do the same. I was aginst the Ryan Kesler contract extension when we were right in the middle of a playoff run tring to win the cup. So no. it's not bull. If it's a good move for your team you do it.
- Eman87654

He is not deteriorating asset, it's a herniated disc, very fixable know a days. He would by far be the best player on your team. Hey already said if I was Anaheim I would just continue with the rebuild. Guess we wait and see what happens. Always thought he was going to LA or Vegas anyway.

He is not deteriorating asset, it's a herniated disc, very fixable know a days. He would by far be the best player on your team. Hey already said if I was Anaheim I would just continue with the rebuild. Guess we wait and see what happens. Always thought he was going to LA or Vegas anyway.
- Buff36

Well. The best year to trade him would have been last offseason before the disk. And the end of the year press conference he did. You probably could have got 2 blue chip prospects then. But if his trade demands persist. Or his offensive numbers decline after the surgery. You probably looking at a traditional player, pick, and prospect kind of deal. And I doubt that pick will be in the top 5. Probably not even top 10. But it's your risk to take. Good luck

Well. The best year to trade him would have been last offseason before the disk. And the end of the year press conference he did. You probably could have got 2 blue chip prospects then. But if his trade demands persist. Or his offensive numbers decline after the surgery. You probably looking at a traditional player, pick, and prospect kind of deal. And I doubt that pick will be in the top 5. Probably not even top 10. But it's your risk to take. Good luck
- Eman87654

He hasn't asked for a trade, is he upset sure, can't blame him, is he using this injury as leverage to push his way out, sure looks that way but there are no reports of him officially asking to be traded. I don't know what will happen, but if the Sabres don't get a deal they like, they don't have to trade him.

He hasn't asked for a trade, is he upset sure, can't blame him, is he using this injury as leverage to push his way out, sure looks that way but there are no reports of him officially asking to be traded. I don't know what will happen, but if the Sabres don't get a deal they like, they don't have to trade him.
- Buff36

Yeah. But imagine if he does what Ryan Kesler didto Vancouver and posts a picture of himself asking to be traded. Then the poop really starts to hit the fan. And you'll get more offers. But ever other team will know you need to trade him. That would be spectacularly tragic.

But all joking aside. He's probably just tring to do the right thing by not going public about anything.