Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – For about a week now, Jack Eichel’s new agent Pat Brisson has been helping teams better understand his medical situation in the hopes that teams will be more willing to trade for the 24-year-old center.
According to TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger, it appears to be working. Dreger tweeted on Wednesday that talks are ongoing between the Buffalo Sabres and other teams around the NHL, and that both sides are hoping something can be worked out soon.
Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman adds to the Eichel situation in his "32 Thoughts" blog, saying there is "a real push to find a solution."
"Eichel’s displaced disc can’t be allowed to just sit on the nerve. He is going to need a procedure sooner rather than later. What’s helped is he’s getting his own MRIs, so he and his representatives can share proper information. That’s a big deal. More difficult to answer is whether or not he is traded first or gets surgery, returns to health and plays games for the Sabres to regain his trade value. No one will go on record, but there is a growing belief there are teams willing to accept Eichel's preferred disc replacement. However, you have to be able to make the trade first. There’s definitely a push to get him healthy — which should be the No. 1 priority."
Ever since this situation started, a number of teams have reportedly been in discussions with the Sabres surrounding Eichel.
We’ve known that the Sabres have wanted a prospect like Peyton Krebs in any trade involving Eichel with the Vegas Golden Knights. Krebs was the Golden Knights' first round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, and is considered a legitimate top-six center.
Last season, the 20-year-old played for the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League and had 43 points in 24 games. Reports say Vegas has not been willing to include Krebs as part of an Eichel deal.
That goes with no team having been willing to trade their top prospect for an injured Eichel. It’s been speculated that Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has been asking for teams' top-two prospects along with a first round pick as part of a trade package for Eichel.
The Sabres are off on Wednesday and will be back on the ice for training camp on Thursday and Friday.
