Eichel trade is at the “one-yard line” with 2 teams making offers

One-yard line, like inches from a touchdown. That’s reportedly how close we are to a Jack Eichel trade. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reports that the Flames and Golden Knights are the finalists in the Jack Eichel sweepstakes, with the trade at the “one-yard line”, imminent to happen.

The Flames and Golden Knights have been battling to acquire the star forward, and are play with the Buffalo Sabres’ center undergoing disc replacement surgery to repair the herniated disc in his neck.

Kaplan explains how details still need to be iron to make the trade happen. Sabres general manager Kevin Adams is believe to have been working hard to get a deal done but he’s standing firm on his high asking price. Kaplan therefore added that both the Flames and Golden Knights have yet to meet his full demands.

The Flames have different options to offer to the Sabres, though we can understand they want to be careful with what they are offering in return for Eichel. After all, the timetable for Eichel’s return would see him return to the ice within six weeks of surgery but it could be up to three months before he’s ready for game play.

As for the Golden Knights, they are facing an issue and could need the help of a third team to make a trade happen. The Sabres have made it clear they are not willing to retain part of Eichel’s salary to facilitate a transaction. 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…

There is a lot at play for both contenders, but we bet the Flames and Golden Knights will fight hard to push the deal over that “one-yard line” to come out on top with this touchdown trade!