It finally happened.
Jack Eichel is headed to Las Vegas which means that a long, confusing, and frustrating saga is finally over. After all the rumors, brutal fan proposals, and time spent waiting for it to finally happen, we can all at last move on.
So let's get right into it.
Vegas Receives: Jack Eichel + 2023 3rd Round Pick
Buffalo Receives: Peyton Krebs + Alex Tuch + 2022 Conditional 1st Round Pick + 2023 Conditional 2nd Round Pick
Jack Eichel
We'll start with Vegas. Not much needs to really be said, they're getting the best player in the deal. Jack Eichel is a bonafide star when healthy.
Despite what some might say, Eichel is 100% worth whatever a team is willing to trade to acquire him, he is simply that good.
He is everything you want and more from your number one center. Exceptional in the offensive zone and no slouch in the defensive end. His defensive numbers interestingly improved dramatically last season, despite the fact Eichel played through a broken rib, which negated his offensive impacts.
He's the full package to say the least. While, yes, questions are going to be had with how the Artificial Disk Replacement Surgery is going to affect him, my bet is that he is going to be able to recover with little-to-no issues. If he's able to return to 2019-20 form, then the Golden Knights finally have their star number 1 center they've been searching for and are immediately favorites for the Stanley Cup.
What is really going to be interesting to follow is Eichel's path towards the Olympics and whether or not he can get healthy in time. Eichel is slated to get the surgery by the end of this week, with the recovery time reportedly being 3-5 months. If it's 4-5 months, then that puts him out of commission until the Olympics have concluded. A 3 month recovery path, however, could see Jack joining Team USA midway through camp depending how he heals. Qualification games start on February 15th, so it could be possible best case scenario.
The 2023 3rd Round Pick being moved is a bit odd, but I don't really mind it. I doubt it really comes back to haunt the Sabres, but it is the Sabres, so who knows?
Whatever the case, Jack Eichel will not play for the Buffalo Sabres ever again. It hurts to type, but it's the truth. A player who we all thought was going to be the one to hoist Buffalo's first ever Stanley Cup will never put on the Blue and Gold again. To sum it up: it sucks.
I'm not here to make everyone depressed, however, so let's see what the Sabres have coming back in return.
Peyton Krebs
The main piece of this return for the Sabres, Krebs was the young asset that many were hoping for the Sabres to grab in a hypothetical deal with the Golden Knights. Lucky for us, we got our wish and Krebs looks to be another fantastic addition to the prospect pool.
Last season, as the captain of the WHL's Winnipeg Ice, Krebs potted 13 goals & 30 assists for 43 points in 24 games. He continued that solid production with 1 goal & 4 assists in 5 games with Vegas' AHL affiliate Henderson Silver Knights.
Krebs started the season in Vegas but was quickly sent back down to the AHL. In a short 2-game stint this season with the Silver Knights, Krebs potted 5 assists before getting called right back up to the big club. He's struggled to find the scoresheet in his 9 games with a very injury riddle Golden Knights, but did not look out of place at all. Now, he looks to be a part of the future young core of the Sabre.
From a wide share of models Krebs still projects to be a quality NHL player, along with an outside, but possible, chance of becoming a star.
Kevyn Adams additionally announced that Krebs would start with the Rochester Americans in the AHL. I think this is the right move for Krebs. There's no need to rush him into the lineup and it's important to get him situated into the Sabres system. Plus, seeing him tear it up with Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka in the AHL is going to be a ton of fun.
Alongside Dylan Cozens, Casey Mittelstadt, and Tage Thompson, Kevyn Adams has added another young center that can easily develop into a high-end top-6 forward in the future. I am extremely excited to see Peyton Krebs (hopefully) become an important core piece.
Alex Tuch
The other big forward of the trade, Alex Tuch is already the most underrated piece of the deal. A Syracuse native himself, Tuch actually grew up a Buffalo Sabres fan, with his parents living next to Tim Connolly of all people. According to Tuch himself it's "a dream come true" and he can't wait to put on the jersey, so that's very exciting to hear.
Anyone that has watched Vegas the past four years knows that Tuch has been one of their most exciting players. A regular in their top-six, he scored 139 points in 249 games in Vegas. Last season Tuch scored 18 goals and 33 points last season in 55 games. Both of those totals would've been only second to Sam Reinhart on the Sabres (25 goals + 40 points).
As you can see, Tuch is a very solid, all-around player. Right now, he can step in as the team's top-line RW, and eventually slot as the teams second-line RW as the farm develops.
Tuch received shoulder surgery back in July and was given a recovery timeline of 6 months, so Sabres fans shouldn't expect to see him in the lineup until January, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait. Can't wait to see the impact he has on this group.
2022 1st Round Pick + 2023 2nd Round Pick
Just want to go over the picks received real quick. They might be the unexciting parts, but they're also what could be the most essential to the rebuild. Assuming that Vegas is able to survive these injuries and the trades they have to make to become cap compliant, they should make the playoffs, meaning the 1st round pick should end up being this season (which is a great thing!).
The 2022 draft class is loaded and the Sabres now have three picks in the 1st round thanks to the Eichel and Reinhart trades. They should have more than a good chance of walking out with some really good talent at the draft.
Same logic applies to the 2023 draft, as now the Sabres also have 3 picks in the 2nd round. There's no reason the Sabres can't add even more amazing talent to an already talented and expanding prospect pool.
Final Summary
Overall, I think that I'd give Adams a "B" on the trade as a whole. It's not a slam dunk, but the Sabres didn't walk out empty-handed in any way. This trade benefits both sides. Vegas gets their prized number 1 center and Buffalo gets the futures they want for their rebuild.
It's relieving to put this whole saga behind us. The Sabres can now fully focus on the future and the guys that are going to be here for years to come. Adams has now fully separated himself from the previous years of disappointment, and he's done a good job of disassembling the parts. Now it's time to see if he's got what it takes to build it all back up again. Only time will tell.
Go Sabres.
Comments