Boston Bruins trade for Jack Eichel may not be too far off

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In the first article of this ‘absurd trade’ series I wrote a piece about the Boston Bruins attempting to acquire Pittsburgh Penguins captain and all-time great Sidney Crosby. In my opinion, a move for Buffalo Sabres young center Jack Eichel seems a lot more likely (on the absurd trade scale that is).

Jack Eichel was reportedly disgruntled with the organization last summer and with the Sabres at the basement of the East division, trade rumours are surfacing yet again.

In Buffalo’s defence, they have tried to get help for the franchise centerman. They signed top free-agent forward and Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall to flank Eichel’s right side. Hall has only scored once in 17 games played so far. After scoring 40 goals in 2019 – the Sabres signed Jeff Skinner to what now is one of the grossest contracts in the league at $9 million per year. Skinner has 1 point in 14 games played and has a hard time even cracking the fourth line.

Eichel himself hasn’t had the best season with only 2 goals so far, but he is far from the biggest problem for the Buffalo Sabres organization.

The fit on the Boston Bruins seems almost too perfect. A Massachusetts native and Boston University alum – Eichel would be an immediate hometown favourite for the Bruins organization.

David Krejci is an impending UFA and although the Boston Bruins have some incoming young reinforcements at the position – a proven asset should always be favoured as a competitive team.

There would certainly be some cap gymnastics required, but the Bruins front office certainly wouldn’t have a problem moving some money to bring in what would be a future franchise centerman. Even if Boston decides to go the ‘hybrid rebuild’ route with some important veterans on expiring contracts – Jack Eichel is 24 and has five more years remaining on his contract after the 2021 season.

If the Boston Bruins decided to go get the hometown boy – what would a trade with the Buffalo Sabres look like?

BUFFALO, NY – JANUARY 26: Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates after scoring on the New York Rangers during the second period at KeyBank Center on January 26 , 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /

Boston Bruins – Buffalo Sabres megadeal.

Much like the Sidney Crosby scenario, it is truly tough to say what a return for a player of Jack Eichel’s calibre would be solely for the reason that a player of this magnitude is almost never available in the NHL.

Of course, no matter what it would be a massive haul for the Buffalo Sabres and one that would stockpile the Sabres with prospects and picks. A trade for Eichel would immediately signal a full teardown, so it would be hard to imagine them wanting any sort of veteran asset.

In the trade scenario above, the Boston Bruins would be losing some core young pieces who look set to become long-term stalwarts for the franchise. That along with losing two high draft picks is a major package to give up – especially for Don Sweeney who absolutely hates any move that mortgages the future.

The cost would be more than worth the product though, with a generational all-star centerman being the return. With David Krejci looking to be on the way out – Eichel could slide into the No. 2 role before eventually taking over for captain Patrice Bergeron in a few years.

How could the Boston Bruins fit Jack Eichel under the cap?

This would easily be the biggest roadblock in bringing Jack Eichel to TD Garden. Eichel is currently in the third year of an 8-year, $80 million contract.

The Boston Bruins as it stands have just over $3 million in cap space and although they have a lot of team-friendly deals – there are some solid numbers on the books.

The best scenario for the Bruins would be to try and work out a trade for the young centerman in the summer when hefty deals like David Krejci and Tuukka Rask’s expire. Those two combined to free up over $14 million.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 20: Matt Irwin #44 of the Buffalo Sabres is congratulated by teammates Sam Reinhart #23,Jack Eichel #9 and Victor Olofsson #68 of the Buffalo Sabres after Irwin scored in the second period against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on February 20, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Where would Jack Eichel fit in the Boston Bruins’ lineup?

Let’s say the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres make the deal this offseason as that would be the most likely scenario.

You’re not breaking up the Perfection Line and with David Krejci a lock to be gone if Jack Eichel was coming into the fold – he would slide in beautifully as a stud second-line center.

Eichel would immediately be the best second-line centerman in the NHL and if the Boston Bruins could surround him with legit talent – they would easily have the best top-six in the league.

Boston Bruins forward lines with Jack Eichel.*

Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak

Ritchie – Eichel – Smith

Frederic – Coyle – DeBrusk

Bjork – Kuraly – Wagner

* under the impression that Krejci leaves and all other UFAs return this offseason.

How realistic is a Jack Eichel to the Boston Bruins trade?

As stated earlier, the prospect of Jack Eichel returning to his home state and college town seems like a not so outlandish scenario compared to that of Sidney Crosby. Not that it is entirely likely as the idea of the Buffalo Sabres trading a young franchise cornerstone like Eichel seems like a questionable move no matter their long-term plans.

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The Boston Bruins are having a youth movement though, and Jack Eichel would fit right into that mold and answer to their ageing core up the middle. Even though the price is steep, the opportunity to bring in a new face of the franchise should be a no-brainer.

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