Friedman: Flames have begun extension talks with Gaudreau & Eichel speculation

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Trade likely won't happen until near start of training camp or just after at this point. Buffalo under no pressure to trade now so will likely draw it out to try to get increased offers.

Trade likely won't happen soon at all then. Once teams get to camp they are focused on prepping for the up coming season, when all teams (maybe not Arizona) believe they have the right personnel in place and will take on the season with the resources they know they have. Rosters will be set and budgets will be locked in. A $10M player will be hard to take on for anyone.

A team that has promise and coming out the gate slowly may be inclined to make a trade, but they would then have to send salary to Buffalo, something they don't want. So the deal then has to shift dramatically from Buffalo's perspective. Will they do that? Doubtful. If someone does decide to make the deal, then they need to recognize it is a three to four month recovery from surgery, if everything goes as planned. That means no Eichel until after the Olympic break? You're really throwing in the towel on the season and have likely given up your pick on a chance for a top player in the up coming draft. To make matters worse, you've now only got Eichel for four more seasons, if he wants to play for your team. This become less attractive.
With the significant price to pay, this is why deals like this usually happen in the off season.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by madmike

At this stage I don't think Eichel gets dealt until he has his treatment and teams see how he responds. Buffalo isn't going to get the return they want as long as there are question marks around Eichel's health.

Which treatment?

[Roof-Daddy]

The longer this goes on the more time Eichel is likely to miss, which means rival GMs will likely want to pay less for Eichel, not more.

If Treliving has offered Tkachuk for Eichel as rumored, I bet he's not offering much in addition to Tkachuk at this point. Trading Tkachuk for Eichel at this point makes the Flames weaker to start the season if Eichel isn't ready, and how it affects the team long term is up in the air depending on how surgery and recovery goes.

I really wish the Sabres would just bite the bullet already. I'm sick of waiting and wondering and hoping.

[Vinny01]

I think the other factor is the several dominos that likely follow Eichel could move once this is resolved. Dvorak, Kuznetsov, Strome possibly Monahan are all centers who are rumored to be available in trade but I don’t think teams are looking to switch to those players as a plan A until Eichel is resolved.

[InternationalVillager]

Buffalo is just being petty at this point. I can't imagine offers are going to increase as suggested above that the longer this goes on, the more time Eichel will miss and essentially his trade value goes down.

[madmike]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Which treatment?

The Sabres are going to have to cave on that. Eichel will likely get his way.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

It's a gamble not to try anything and stay mediocre forever.

I agree that there has to be a change. The question is of it costs something like Thachuk, 2 1sts, and a prospect, is that worthwhile just for the sake of taking a chance? IMO, wholeheartedly no. If it doesn’t work, you’ve lost the chance of a rebuild by losing three futures, and dealing Eichel won’t gain you the same return. So you’re back into rebuilding without high picks to choose from. Personally I think they should package Monahan and a depth bottom two player for two prospects who have the potential to be on the top lines, and blow this year to get a high pick. Surely that isn’t ideal but it could set the team up for a positive future without a complete tear down.

[Stanley]

I'm starting to not even want this trade to happen ffs. Move on to plan B, if there even is one...

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by madmike

At this stage I don't think Eichel gets dealt until he has his treatment and teams see how he responds. Buffalo isn't going to get the return they want as long as there are question marks around Eichel's health.

I don’t think that Buffalo is in a position to wait with trading him this season. His full NMC kicks in next season. He is also owed $7.5M as a signing bonus, which Buffalo would be reluctant to pay.

Also, his value will plummet once/if he misses this entire season.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by fleury

Personally I think they should package Monahan and a depth bottom two player for two prospects who have the potential to be on the top lines, and blow this year to get a high pick. Surely that isn’t ideal but it could set the team up for a positive future without a complete tear down.

Which team will take on a chance that Monny is healthy and productive again, while giving up two great prospects with top 6 potential and sending no cap back?

We saw the value of a healthy Vezina winning goalie with no long term commitment, it was negative a 2nd round pick. Cap is king these days.

Monny proves himself healthy and productive, sure.

I think the only reason why Eichel hasn't been moved is his health uncertainty.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

The longer this goes on the more time Eichel is likely to miss, which means rival GMs will likely want to pay less for Eichel, not more.

If Treliving has offered Tkachuk for Eichel as rumored.

Has this been actually rumored? I thought it was just speculation largely on CP. Has there been an actual source that has said this is a rumor?

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think the other factor is the several dominos that likely follow Eichel could move once this is resolved. Dvorak, Kuznetsov, Strome possibly Monahan are all centers who are rumored to be available in trade but I don’t think teams are looking to switch to those players as a plan A until Eichel is resolved.

I wonder if there are even more dominoes preceding Eichel: Barkov, Zibanejad, Couturier, Malkin, and several consolation prizes (Hertl, Kadri, Strome) potentially available.

It probably doesn't affect CGY or MIN very much, but until some of those names come off the possibility board it doesn't make much sense for VGK or ANA or LAK to take on unnecessary risk.

[Monahammer]

Since when is Barkov rumored available?

[Britflamesfan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

The longer this goes on the more time Eichel is likely to miss, which means rival GMs will likely want to pay less for Eichel, not more.

If Treliving has offered Tkachuk for Eichel as rumored, I bet he's not offering much in addition to Tkachuk at this point. Trading Tkachuk for Eichel at this point makes the Flames weaker to start the season if Eichel isn't ready, and how it affects the team long term is up in the air depending on how surgery and recovery goes.

I really wish the Sabres would just bite the bullet already. I'm sick of waiting and wondering and hoping.

If you can trade Tkachuk for Eichel + a bit more you do it in a heart beat. No1 centre for a up and down winger who is far more interested in money than anything else. If the Sabres are on board just do it.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Since when is Barkov rumored available?

I believe it was Lebrun last summer who made mention that Barkov may become available because initial talks regarding a long-term extension were not promising or something.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I wonder if there are even more dominoes preceding Eichel: Barkov, Zibanejad, Couturier, Malkin, and several consolation prizes (Hertl, Kadri, Strome) potentially available.

It probably doesn't affect CGY or MIN very much, but until some of those names come off the possibility board it doesn't make much sense for VGK or ANA or LAK to take on unnecessary risk.

I don’t think there is much to the list you provided. Barkov is rumored to be extending in Florida and they just traded their 1st next year and are going for it.

Zibenijad is interesting in the sense he requires a big money long term extension that perhaps doesn’t really fit the Rangers window with huge contracts needed for Fox and likely Lafreniere in a couple of years. He could be an interesting target.

Mallon I just don’t see it. 3 cups the guy is likely a career Penguin

Couturier is a pending UFA but I haven’t heard about the Flyers shopping him nor do they really have a replacement lined up.

The other 3 mentioned could all be in play but I have not heard their names as much as Dvorak or Kuznetsov.

From the whole Flames-Eichel thing I believe Tarasenko could be a key domino in the flames quest for Eichel. I can see the Blues moving out Tarasenko then spending up ample futures for Tkachuk which can help the Flames add Eichel to their roster.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I believe it was Lebrun last summer who made mention that Barkov may become available because initial talks regarding a long-term extension were not promising or something.

I recall that now, but the team has since made significant moves to indicate it intends to compete in the next 2-3 years. I would think they're more interested in keeping him to compete regardless of potential long term hurdles.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Since when is Barkov rumored available?

Unless and until extensions are signed all of the guys will be available in 10.5 months. Or at the TDL

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Unless and until extensions are signed all of the guys will be available in 10.5 months. Or at the TDL

Huh I actually had no idea Barkov was becoming a UFA (I assumed RFA). How tantalizing.

I still think he re-signs in Florida.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I don’t think there is much to the list you provided. Barkov is rumored to be extending in Florida and they just traded their 1st next year and are going for it.

Zibenijad is interesting in the sense he requires a big money long term extension that perhaps doesn’t really fit the Rangers window with huge contracts needed for Fox and likely Lafreniere in a couple of years. He could be an interesting target.

Mallon I just don’t see it. 3 cups the guy is likely a career Penguin

Couturier is a pending UFA but I haven’t heard about the Flyers shopping him nor do they really have a replacement lined up.

The other 3 mentioned could all be in play but I have not heard their names as much as Dvorak or Kuznetsov.

From the whole Flames-Eichel thing I believe Tarasenko could be a key domino in the flames quest for Eichel. I can see the Blues moving out Tarasenko then spending up ample futures for Tkachuk which can help the Flames add Eichel to their roster.

I'm not saying trade for them now, but position yourself for a big UFA 2022 class. Or perhaps paying up to jump the line at TDL (like VGK and Stone).