Eichel landing spot

[pmorrow]

https://twitter.com/KevinWeekes/stat...11287444410369

"Kevin Weekes
@KevinWeekes

For all asking, my understanding is the
@NHLFlames
have Tkachuk ( who is a future potential captain) an upcoming 1 Rd pick, a former 1st Rd pick, and 2 prospects in the Eichel sweepstakes with the
@BuffaloSabres"

[rataylor22]

I have no reason to question Weekes other than I don't know why Buffalo wouldn't have accepted this already. Unless they are concerned about Tkachuk's next contract, which is why Calgary would theoretically have 19 on the table at all. Even so, I'm not sure Eichel for Tkachuk straight up wouldn't necessarily be an unfair so there is a lot of ++ value Calgary is giving up if this is on the table.

[lucafen4]

This deal would make little sense for Cgy.
they're off to a really good start, only to take key pieces out of the line up for a guy that won't play until sometime in 2022.

I think Cgy would need to add to Tkachuk to make the deal work, but this ask just seems ludicrous

[2014olympicgold]

This is an insane offer. Unless there was a mix-up and that was what was asked by Buffalo. Or the deal is eichel + someone else that would help Calgary right now?

[senryu]

Given that Tkachuk is an RFA, perhaps the delay is that Buffalo is trying to ink a contract extension to make sure that they don't lose the major prize from the deal. Cam Robinson surmises that if Buffalo hadn't accepted, it must mean that there's a comparable NHL player (i.e., Shea Theodore) in the mix from Vegas.

[2014olympicgold]

Tkachuk can accept his $9m qualifying offer and play out 2022-23 season and become a UFA I think. Could explain it

[lucafen4]

well, Brady's getting $8.2 AAV... Matty's gonna want bragging rights on little bro.

[Feenom]

If Calgary does that they’re stupid. No way they deal Matty. When he’s on he’s one of the best in the NHL. He’s only going to get better and he will get paid whether it’s in Calgary or not. Calgary needs to say thanks but no thanks.

[Daydream Nation]

At the minimum, Buffalo could accept that trade and flip Tkachuk for another haul.

[dejeanneret]

I'd be VERY happy with that deal for Buffalo. But agree ... I'd think that much of it depends on Tkachuk singing.

I guess it's difficult to really know without insight into what the other pieces of the deal are. But can't imagine that Buffalo wants to be in a situation where they deal one highly valued player who's under contract for an extremely good (but less marquee) player that they'd have to sign or trade within a year. Yes, the option to trade him is there. But I gotta think ownership and management are weary of having their feet to the fire and the whole league knowing the Sabres effectively have to make a deal. Hard to imagine they're excited about resolving this situation by possibly/likely jumping into the same dynamic involving another big name player on the verge of UFA status.

But guess we'll see.

[Axeman33]

Tkachuk can accept his $9m qualifying offer and play out 2022-23 season and become a UFA I think. Could explain it

I believe they hold his rights until he's 27.

Those who think this is crazy are forgetting how expensive and hard it us to acquire legit 1Cs in this league. They are hard to acquire and don't come cheap. Say what you want but when he's healthy, Eichel is arguably a top 10 player in this league. Tkachuk on his best days isn't close to being a top 10 player.

[dejeanneret]

https://twitter.com/KevinWeekes/stat...11287444410369

"Kevin Weekes
@KevinWeekes

For all asking, my understanding is the
@NHLFlames
have Tkachuk ( who is a future potential captain) an upcoming 1 Rd pick, a former 1st Rd pick, and 2 prospects in the Eichel sweepstakes with the
@BuffaloSabres"

So curiosity getting the best of me, I looked at the Flames present roster, and it appears they have the following former 1st rounders in addition to Tkachuck:

Michael Backlund (2007)
Erik Gudranson (2010)
Noah Hanafin (2015)
Trevor Lewis (2006)
Elias Lindholm (2013)
Sean Monahan (2013)
Juuso Valimaki (2017)
Nikita Zadorov (2013)

Based on those, it's safe to rule out Lindholm as an add-in to Tkachuk. So pure guess here, it seems to me that the most likely candidates would be Backlund or Monahan (gives Sabres a veteran Center while also taking a $5-6 million contract off Calgary's books). With that said, defenseman could also be of interest for immediate help or future trade chips, so could also see one of Gudbranson or Valimaki being possibilities for varying reasons (Hanifin too, but my guess is he'd be a harder get from the Flames than one of the other two).

[hockeymanG23]

I believe they hold his rights until he's 27.

Those who think this is crazy are forgetting how expensive and hard it us to acquire legit 1Cs in this league. They are hard to acquire and don't come cheap. Say what you want but when he's healthy, Eichel is arguably a top 10 player in this league. Tkachuk on his best days isn't close to being a top 10 player.

27 or 7 years in the NHL. This is his 6th season so if he signs a 1 year qualifying offer he will be UFA afterwards.

Pretty sure it’s been like that since the 2004-5 lockout at least.

[hockeymanG23]

https://twitter.com/KevinWeekes/stat...11287444410369

"Kevin Weekes
@KevinWeekes

For all asking, my understanding is the
@NHLFlames
have Tkachuk ( who is a future potential captain) an upcoming 1 Rd pick, a former 1st Rd pick, and 2 prospects in the Eichel sweepstakes with the
@BuffaloSabres"

That deal would likely tank the season for the Flames so I can’t see it.

I know he’s been underwhelming for a bit now and is also on limited term but Monahan really needs to be the NHL player/salary dump in this deal. Any and all top picks/prospects should be in play to make it happen.

[PicklePickle]

It's going to happen soon. Where ever it is.