Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
Almost as if one guy is a #2 center at best (and probably not a center on a cup contender at all) and the other guy is an elite #1 center who would immediately become the most talented player in franchise history.
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You're willing to roll the dice on a guy with a spinal injury? That's massive risk the team is assuming, especially with the return we're likely to pay and the $10M hit associated. The team would have to pour over his medical records and have their risk management team determine if it was a good idea.
On talent, Eichel would have to come to Calgary and really put up some impressive points a performance in another stratosphere to be considered the most talented player in team history. I won't even go into the cup winning team. There was a guy on the Flames that Gretzky called the most talented player he had ever seen or played with, so Eichel would really have to step his game up. Ironically the Magic Man also had similar problems with not being able to elevate his game or make players around him consistently better.
The thing that scares me the most about Eichel is I doubt he wants to play in hockey's hinterlands anymore. He's stated it himself, he only cares about his situation and his health. Having the most travel time in the league is likely not on his wish list, especially with a spinal injury. I'm not sure he would accept being in Calgary and may just sit it out until he forces another trade to an eastern based team where the travel is easier and less frequent. That would be catastrophic to the team. More risk than the team should be willing to take on IMO.