Anaheim was willing to part with big name in trade for Jack Eichel; Buffalo rejected the trade

As the Jack Eichel saga continues on in Buffalo, there's a report that the Sabres rejected a trade proposal from the Anaheim Ducks for the 24-year-old that would have seen a big name going the other way. In a recent interview with NHL Network Radio, reporter John Hoven stated the Ducks were offering two current roster players, with one of them being goaltender John Gibson.

"There was some chatter about Anaheim being interested [in Eichel] and here's what I found out," said Hoven. "The Ducks did in fact offer what I understand to be two NHL roster players. One of them is believed to be John Gibson."

"But it was nowhere near the four first-round picks that [Sabres GM] Kevyn Adams has been looking for. But from what I gather, the Ducks were looking at a 'hockey trade' to get Jack Eichel and Buffalo wanted no part of that."

Gibson, a two-time All-Star and a former winner of the William M. Jennings trophy, has had the unfortunate position of being an excellent goaltender on a bad team. Anaheim is still in rebuild mode, although further ahead than the Buffalo Sabres right now. According to Hoven, the Ducks haven't completely lost interest in Eichel.


"From everything I've been able to gather, the Ducks remain very interested in Jack Eichel, and when the asking price does come down, expect them to circle back on it," added Hoven. "But one thing seems very clear, they have no appetite at all in moving a Trevor Zegras, or a [Mason] MacTavish or a [Jamie] Drysdale in that deal."

Unfortunately for the Ducks, and perhaps Eichel as well, the unwillingness to part with one of these prospects likely means continued rejection on any proposals by the Buffalo Sabres.

Source: NHL Network Radio