Another contender jumps into Eichel sweepstakes with strong offer

Things are getting complicated for the latest frontrunner in the Jack Eichel sweepstakes as reports point out that the Vegas Golden Knights would need a third team to get involved to make the number works in acquired the Sabres’ forward as Buffalo is not willing to absorb part of his salary. Vegas currently has $6.4 million in cap space, according to CapFriendly , although forwards Max Pacioretty and Alex Tuch are on long-term injured reserve. To make matters worse for Golden Knights, they are also without Mark Stone and William Karlsson for some time. They need immediate help and Eichel won’t provide that, while they would be over the cap once everyone is healthy…

And so it seems like another contender might be getting serious as Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News wonders if the Calgary Flames might be the ultimate suitor of the sweepstakes.

As the Sabres are unwilling to retain part of Eichel’s cap hit, the Flames would have to give up pieces to get Eichel on board and Harrington wonders if the Sabres’ strong start to this season could have GM Kevyn Adams seeking more immediate help for his roster.

While the insider does not believe Matthew Tkachuk would not come into play, he suggests Elias Lindholm or Sean Monahan might be available. He also noted Flames VP of hockey operations Don Maloney was spotted at the Sabres’ recent games against the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings. Hailey Salvian of the Athletic dresses a list of other potential returns for Eichel in Matthew Coronato, Connor Zary, Jakob Pelletier, Dillon Dube, Juuso Valmaki and future first-round selections. Finding sufficient cap space for Eichel means shedding salary, which prompted Salvian to wonder if the Sabres would take Monahan as part of the return. Her proposed offer would be Monahan, Zary, Pelletier, a 2022 first-round pick and perhaps a prospect as a sweetener for accepting Monahan in the deal.

Harrington does mention that Adams contemplating multiple deals and could be under less pressure to move Eichel now seeing that his no-movement clause only kicks in next July.

But with that offer - do you believe a trade could take place between the Flames and Sabres?