Lots of really bad trade proposals that wouldn't even get a sniff from Sabres management. The usual sky high over-valuations of our own players married with vastly underestimating the other teams management acumen. Yes the Sabres are a bad team, but that doesn't mean they are going to give away a number one centre.
If I am a Sabres executive Eichel is essentially as untouchable as it gets. Unless he flat out asks for a trade there is likely not many packages a team can present that will get my interest. It's no trade secret that having a number one C to build a team around is the path to success, even the Sabres management knows this. So the proposals of "Monahan, Tkachuk and a 1st" for a bonafide number 1 centre, 24 years old, under contract for 5 more years, would receive audible laughter on the other end of the phone.
Monahan is barely even a 2nd line centre, is a free agent in 2 years, and is on a clear downward trajectory. Tkachuk, i'm guessing, is likely the centre piece of this proposed deal, is not a centre, and is an RFA in a year with a big QO, and a mid-first round pick in a completely unknown draft, doesn't move the needle.
The Flames prospect pool is a dearth of high end talent. Valimaki is probably our best young asset and the Sabres likely are not looking for a D-man as a return for a C.
Eichel would have to fetch a top 5 draft pick from a recent draft, another high end prospect, plus a likely lottery pick, and a really good young roster player. If LA is going to put together a package Think Byfield, Kaliyev, Vilardi and a first. That would be a starting point if I am the Sabres.
|