As someone who really wanted Reinhart in his draft year (over Bennett, I may add), I say: "I was wrong".
I don't want a thing to do with Reinhart.
People forget this now, but under Hartley, Monahan was trending to be a really strong 2-way centre. I thought if Calgary added Reinhart, and then had Backlund being the #3 centre, that this team would be suffocating to play against. I was wrong.
Monahan has been better defensively than Reinhart, but Monahan is also bigger and stronger. Reinhart is.. underwhelming at everything. He is not fast enough, not aggressive enough, and up until this season, hasn't even been a legit centre in the league.
Monahan has a down year, but unless his wrists are screwed, Monahan is WAY better than Reinhart. Reinhart does nothing to address any holes on the Flames - maybe a RHS RW. However, this team is either undersized in the top 6, slower than average, or not aggressive enough too (which is why I have always wanted to keep Bennett in the top 6). He will just give the Flames 'more of the same' in my opinion. Really don't want him. If he was a faster, or more dynamic, or more aggressive - sure. He has not become remotely close to what I thought he was going to be.
Eichel I would pay a lot for, but at the same time, he may be damaged goods now, both physically and mentally. I know he is frustrated in Buffalo, and even since he first got selected when the idiot GM openly 'complained' about losing out on McDavid, was probably not respected as much as he should have been.
However, I haven't once heard something about him taking responsibility for winning. I haven't once seen him act as a strong leader on that team. Have you? Maybe I missed it, but I have to question his character somewhat here.
Like I said, I would pay a lot to acquire him. However, there are questions around him too, and there are limits. Trading what amounts to be 6 first round picks is crazy. The NYR would have to greatly overpay for him, as Buffalo doesn't want to see him often in a season. If I am Buffalo, I am willing to take a bit less to ship him out west, and especially to a Canadian market where the don't have to hear from him much at all, all things considered.
I think LA gets him, with a wildcard in Nashville (who don't seem to be shy in making big moves). I would like him in Calgary, but the price is going to be very expensive. I would rather just rebuild at this point, as I don't think this team will be able to compete either. It would be another thing if the defence was really strong on this team, but it needs an overhaul too. I don't think the Flames would be 'Buffalo-bad' after the trade, but I don't think they would be a contender either. It isn't like Eichel has made Buffalo even slightly better than the sum of its' parts, has he? It is not without risk, especially considering his disc issue.
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