Kevin Francis: Ottawa linked to Jack Eichel/Leafs looking to get involved with Marner!

I wouldn't mind losing those players for Eichel. But there's a big downside here - the guy needs surgery and is disgruntled af, and Ottawa isn't exactly a franchise that's been on the positive side of either the wins or reputation columns. Plus the weather sucks and the arena is in the middle of nowhere. I don't think you make a deal for him unless you get a serious statement from the guy indicating he'd love to be in Ottawa.

On the plus, we certainly have a team stacked to the gills with top flight US born talent and lots of camaraderie, so even if it isn't 'home', we have a locker room that would welcome and encourage Eichel. For all the criticisms of the player it's not implausible that Eichel could thrive in Ottawa. I don't see this trade happening before Brady and Drake sign though - Brady's the glue, and Melnyk likes his cost certainty.

I don't think the Sabres would even entertain a trade to either Ottawa nor Toronto. First it would take more than Kelly Greig, Thomson or White to make an equal trade. When Jack gets healthy he is a top 10 player in the world and you just don't willy nilly trade him for scraps. Secondly there is no way no how Dahlin is going to be traded yet alone traded to Toronto. Marner is a deadbeat in the playoffs and if the Sabres made that trade Adams can resign that very day because he soon will be fired. Yes Dahlin had a terrible year last year but once Don Granato took over his game started to turn around showing "some" of the skill he is capable of displaying.

I don't think the Sabres would even entertain a trade to either Ottawa nor Toronto. First it would take more than Kelly Greig, Thomson or White to make an equal trade. When Jack gets healthy he is a top 10 player in the world and you just don't willy nilly trade him for scraps. Secondly there is no way no how Dahlin is going to be traded yet alone traded to Toronto. Marner is a deadbeat in the playoffs and if the Sabres made that trade Adams can resign that very day because he soon will be fired. Yes Dahlin had a terrible year last year but once Don Granato took over his game started to turn around showing "some" of the skill he is capable of displaying.
- Goalieguy43

Brannstrom/White/1st round 2022 pick and one of Thomson/Greig/Kelly is what I stated. Lets not forget he is damaged goods right now and nobody knows for sure if he will ever be the same.

I wouldn't mind losing those players for Eichel. But there's a big downside here - the guy needs surgery and is disgruntled af, and Ottawa isn't exactly a franchise that's been on the positive side of either the wins or reputation columns. Plus the weather sucks and the arena is in the middle of nowhere. I don't think you make a deal for him unless you get a serious statement from the guy indicating he'd love to be in Ottawa.

On the plus, we certainly have a team stacked to the gills with top flight US born talent and lots of camaraderie, so even if it isn't 'home', we have a locker room that would welcome and encourage Eichel. For all the criticisms of the player it's not implausible that Eichel could thrive in Ottawa. I don't see this trade happening before Brady and Drake sign though - Brady's the glue, and Melnyk likes his cost certainty.
- Bartacus

I am with you on getting the RFA guys signed first, but this all comes back to Brady wanting a commitment to winning, which is why Ottawa is seriously looking at Eichel now.

I don't think the Sabres would even entertain a trade to either Ottawa nor Toronto. First it would take more than Kelly Greig, Thomson or White to make an equal trade. When Jack gets healthy he is a top 10 player in the world and you just don't willy nilly trade him for scraps. Secondly there is no way no how Dahlin is going to be traded yet alone traded to Toronto. Marner is a deadbeat in the playoffs and if the Sabres made that trade Adams can resign that very day because he soon will be fired. Yes Dahlin had a terrible year last year but once Don Granato took over his game started to turn around showing "some" of the skill he is capable of displaying.
- Goalieguy43

The Sabres aren't dealing from a position of strength, not just that Eichel is damaged goods, he wants out and every team calling GM Adams know this. Look at what Ottawa got for Erik Karlsson and he didnt even ask for a trade!

Brannstrom/White/1st round 2022 pick and one of Thomson/Greig/Kelly is what I stated. Lets not forget he is damaged goods right now and nobody knows for sure if he will ever be the same.
- Kevin Francis

Yeah, I honestly think that is probably an overpay for Eichel, considering the state of affairs around him right now. Maybe if the first was conditional based on him coming back strong from the surgery (on GP next year, or return by a certain date, or something).

Kevin Francis: Ottawa linked to Jack Eichel/Leafs looking to get involved with Marner!
- Kevin Francis

Pinto, Ostapchuk, Lassi Thomson and an unprotected first rd pick in 22 draft

Pinto, Ostapchuk, Lassi Thomson and an unprotected first rd pick in 22 draft
- homiedclown

Ottawa will want White involved to make the money work! Plus White is tight with your HC! But I do like the unprotected first round pick idea.

Yeah, I honestly think that is probably an overpay for Eichel, considering the state of affairs around him right now. Maybe if the first was conditional based on him coming back strong from the surgery (on GP next year, or return by a certain date, or something).
- Beergu

Yes, agreed on the conditional 1st round pick!

Buffalo wouldn't do that. Maybe Shane Pinto, Erik brannstrom are the first two names on that list then add the first round pick. After that I'm not sure who the fourth person would be. I suppose Riley greig. But honestly I believe the first name on that list should be Erik brannstrom because Buffalo is extremely thin at right defense. After our three projected starters we only have two others under contract in Rochester.
Lastly, for Ottawa it's going to take guys with a little shine on them for Buffalo to trade him in the division. Yes Sam Reinhart was good but he's not Jack eichel good. Even with broken ribs and a sore neck last season Jack put up 18 points in 21 games. As far as Toronto and Rasmus dahlin that's not going to happen. I believe Kevin Adam sees Rasmus dahlin to build the team around pretty much everyone else is tradable, which makes sense for the future assuming Rasmus dahlin can seamlessly slide over to the right defenseman slot to be paired with Owen power for the next decade

Buffalo wouldn't do that. Maybe Shane Pinto, Erik brannstrom are the first two names on that list then add the first round pick. After that I'm not sure who the fourth person would be. I suppose Riley greig. But honestly I believe the first name on that list should be Erik brannstrom because Buffalo is extremely thin at right defense. After our three projected starters we only have two others under contract in Rochester.
Lastly, for Ottawa it's going to take guys with a little shine on them for Buffalo to trade him in the division. Yes Sam Reinhart was good but he's not Jack eichel good. Even with broken ribs and a sore neck last season Jack put up 18 points in 21 games. As far as Toronto and Rasmus dahlin that's not going to happen. I believe Kevin Adam sees Rasmus dahlin to build the team around pretty much everyone else is tradable, which makes sense for the future assuming Rasmus dahlin can seamlessly slide over to the right defenseman slot to be paired with Owen power for the next decade
- Jetsabre24

Good point on the right side of your defense. Brannstrom if given top 4 minutes will be just fine, he doesnt fit in here with DJ Smith.

might have to add a 5th piece considering Buf would be trading Eichel within division, (Logan Brown)

might have to add a 5th piece considering Buf would be trading Eichel within division, (Logan Brown)
- Mithos

I dont Brown or management would have a problem doing that!

I do not believe the Leafs do Marner for Dahlin. They are going to roll this group another year, which seems dumb, but there you have it.

Good point on the right side of your defense. Brannstrom if given top 4 minutes will be just fine, he doesnt fit in here with DJ Smith.
- Kevin Francis

is RD his natural spot, thought he shot left

I do not believe the Leafs do Marner for Dahlin. They are going to roll this group another year, which seems dumb, but there you have it.
- Interloper

True!

Good article Kevin. I like the fact you live in Ottawa and you have inside information with the team and around the league. We see the results in your article. A lot hit 80 messages, Not many years I m here , but never see that and in late in the summer. Good work !!!

Stay away from Eichel. Tkachuk and Chabot are the future of this team. The chemistry of this team is fantastic. I love watching them play even when they're losing. They are building something special and they're not going to be losing for much longer.

They do not need to be betrayed by those spoiled brats throwing a tantrum on the floor of Walmart screaming "Wah Wah Wah we want it now. Eichel will make it happen now!".

Look at what happened in Edmonton when they brought in Chiarell and he decided to trade away their future for a couple of playoff rounds. They should have already won a Cup and be challenging for more. Instead they will never win a Cup but they will get a playoff round now and again.

Please don't let this happen in Ottawa.

Just in case I haven't made my position on the matter clear enough - even if Buffalo offered us Eichel for free I still wouldn't take him. That guy is poison.

I'm not sure White has too much value given his contract, and his recent play. Buffalo is going to have a ton of cap space. I like White just fine, but he's not going to have much to play with there.

Buffalo may press for Pinto.

Also important to consider that Brannstrom is a LHD, and so are Dahlin and Power. May not be an issue as Power wont be there this year, and he could switch sides.

It sure would be nice to See Ottawa leverage a team with low bargaining position for a change though.

I am with you on getting the RFA guys signed first, but this all comes back to Brady wanting a commitment to winning, which is why Ottawa is seriously looking at Eichel now.
- Kevin Francis

I hear you on this, but it really is chicken and egg. They should get Brady on the phone with Eichel behind the scenes. Problem with adding a 10M player on this team is the highest contract value plays a big role in dictating how other teammates approach their own new contracts. You can see that slippery slope working in Toronto right now, and Ottawa doesn't have the benefit of a massive homer player base where solid vets will sign league min deals to play here. I think that Bobby Ryan's contract and buyer's remorse from our owner influenced how we lost Mark Stone, Mika Zibanejad, and Anthony Duclair, all of whom would look great if still on this team. Tkachuks are famous for being pests to play against, but also at getting paid (Matthew's RFA QO next year, Keith's whole career) - add a 10M contract, I think we watch Tkachuk hold out into the season for more.

is RD his natural spot, thought he shot left
- homiedclown

He has played both sides, he actually prefers to play the right side but the coaching staff has used him on the LD more.

The Sabres aren't dealing from a position of strength, not just that Eichel is damaged goods, he wants out and every team calling GM Adams know this. Look at what Ottawa got for Erik Karlsson and he didnt even ask for a trade!
- Kevin Francis

Karlsson was going to be a ufa Eichel is under contract, Adams is in no way in a position where he has to deal Eichel now.
If Ottawa doesn’t deal EK he walks for nothing, if Adams does deal Eichel, we just have to hear about him for another year.

Good article Kevin. I like the fact you live in Ottawa and you have inside information with the team and around the league. We see the results in your article. A lot hit 80 messages, Not many years I m here , but never see that and in late in the summer. Good work !!!
- Crosside

Appreciate the kind words and thanks for always stopping by! I put a lot of time into it, truly enjoy it. I am thankful to have some great people that I have networked with over the years that provide me some solid info. I try to engage with the readers in the comments section as much as possible too.