It's Vegas, baby, for Jack Eichel.
After months and months of speculation, verbal jabs and will-they-won't-they drama, the star forward is heading to Sin City for a package of picks and players, per multiple reports.
Pending trade call, The @BuffaloSabres trade Jack Eichel and a 2023 3rd round pick, to the @GoldenKnights for Peyton Krebs, Alex Tuch, a 1st in 2022 and a 3rd in 2023.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 4, 2021
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The reported deal ends a saga between the injured Buffalo star and the team's front office, who spent months trading shots in public despite Eichel's trade request. At the heart of the issue was Eichel's reported need of back surgery, which the Sabres front office seemingly refused to let him get.
Here's what you need to know about the reported deal:
Jack Eichel trade details
Pending trade call, here's what both sides are expected to receive:
- The Vegas Golden Knights receive center Jack Eichel and a 2023 NHL Draft third-round pick;
- The Buffalo Sabres receive center Peyton Krebs, right winger Alex Tuch, a 2022 NHL Draft first-round pick and a 2023 NHL Draft third-round pick.
Eichel still has four years and $40 million left on his contract following the 2021-22 season. While a gaudy number, that could end up being a steal should he continue to develop in the prime years of his career — and return healthy from his eventual back surgery.
There's also the added expectation that the NHL salary cap should continue to grow, making the deal more of a benefit for the Knights.
In return the Sabres receive center Peyton Krebs, one of Vegas' top prospects. The 20-year-old Krebs is considered to be a 200-foot forward, and was a point machine in the WHL. He made his NHL debut this year and was expected to get major playing time.
The Sabres also receive the speedy winger Alex Tuch, a former 50-point scorer, who is currently sidelined while he recovers from shoulder surgery. He could miss the next four months of the season.
The current expectation is that Eichel will undergo back surgery to replace a disc, which was a major point of contention with the Sabres, leading to animosity between both sides. The surgery could sideline him four months, on the shorter end of the recovery timeline. He could return following the Olympic break.