According to Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, the Boston Bruins are going to be major players on Jack Eichel if the star center shakes loose from the Buffalo Sabres. According to one source familiar with Eichel, “I just don’t see any way they can’t be all over him.’
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Shinzawa notes a number of reasons this deal could make sense. First, the Sabres are in dire straits. A team that can’t seem to figure out up from down, there are big changes expected within that organization. It could be as minor as a coaching change and it could be as major as three or four players being traded.
When it comes to Eichel, his no-move clause activates in 2022-23. Before then, the Sabres would be free to open up the bidding for his services. After that, the player has a ton of say as to where he lands. While this wouldn’t rule out the Bruins, it does change the leverage game for the Sabres and they need to maximize their return if they’re even going to consider trading him.
If a team like Columbus, the New York Rangers or Los Angeles Kings comes up with a better return than the Bruins can, Buffalo is smarter to move him there and move him earlier.
Timing is Right for the Bruins
Shinzawa also points out that the Bruins are looking at their future when it comes to the center position and the team is internally asking how long they can continue with Patrice Bergeron (35) and David Krejci (34) as their top options.
Clearly, the Bruins are good now. But, staying good means looking ahead and the B’s might see Eichel as the better fit long-term. There are also questions as to what players like Charlie Coyle (29) and Jack Studnicka (22) will become. Someone like Trent Frederic could be a nature No. 3 pivot, leaving Eichel to run things on the second line.
They also have the cap room now. Shinzawa writes:
Unlike most teams, the Bruins could incorporate Eichel’s cap hit under their ceiling. They could make $14.25 million in cap space available by not re-signing Krejci and Tuukka Rask, both unrestricted after this season.
Shinzawa writes that the nonstop losing has to be playing a toll on the player and the organization and if that leads to a change and/or Eichel’s exit, the “Bruins will be waiting.”
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