Jack Eichel finally gets traded!

The Jack Eichel sweepstakes have come to an end, and so does his time with the Buffalo Sabres. 

Earlier on Thursday morning, the Sabres traded their former team captain to the Vegas Golden Knights, ending a long dispute.

The return is believed to included Alex Tuch and draft picks. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that the Golden Knights are giving up Peyton Krebs, Alex Tuch, a 1st round pick in 2022 and a 2nd round in 2023 to acquire Eichel and a third-rounder. 

The Eichel sweepstakes, which lasted months, was down to two teams in the last days as ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported that the Golden Knights and Calgary Flames were battling to acquire the center. 

Eichel remains sidelined with a neck injury since last March, but Vegas is believed to be supportive of him undergoing surgery to repair the herniated disc in his neck. He will now be able to undergo his preferred disc replacement surgery soon, with the timeline for his return expected to be after the Olympic break.

He signed signed an eight-year, $80 million extension with the Sabres back in 2017, leaving four years after the current season remaining on his deal.

As for Tuch who is part of the return from Vegas, he has not played this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in late July. He was given a six-month timeline for recovery after the operation. The 25-year-old, who is signed at a cap hit of $4.75 through the 2025-26 season, tallied 18 goals and 33 points in 55 games last season. 

Kebbs is 20-year-old and is promising, though he is without a point in nine games with the Golden Knights this season. He was selected 17th overall by Vegas back in the 2019 NHL Draft. He collected one assist in four games with the Golden Knights last year. 

Eichel will get a chance at contending for the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career with Vegas. He also joins former teammate, goalie Robin Lehner, who fought for Eichel and his right to choose which procedure he preferred earlier this season. 

Eichel has appeared in 375 career games with the Sabres over six seasons, scoring 139 goals and adding 216 assists. He is ready for more, once healthy, with the Vegas Golden Knights.