Eichel makes so much sense for the Flames. This is a team that is not interested in rebuilding at all and they are also a team that lacked that true game breaking talent this year.
It is incredibly rare to see a 25 year old top line C on the trade block with 5 years left on his deal. The Flames are a great trade partner for Buffalo. Sending the player to small market western Canada is something Buffalo would prefer to an eastern team or big high profile market like LA or Chicago.
The Flames can offer a potential franchise player in Tkachuk to Buffalo who could also make an aggressive play for Brady this summer as well who is a RFA. I don’t know how much of a plus the Flames need to add. Maybe the 12th pick, maybe more, maybe less?
Gaudreau wanting to stay gives the Flames a top player to pair with Eichel for the next 5 years. Losing Gio to Seattle gives the Flames cap flexibility (losing Lucic or Backlund also helps in that regard).
Getting Eichel gives the Flames a new look and actually allows them to do a competitive retool with the current team and push into contention.
Hopefully the Flames support the procedure Eichel wants to get because apparently it has a 3 month recovery time and it is what he wants which could bring a happy and motivated player.
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