Sabres pull off another trade on the heels of Eichel blockbuster

This just in, the Buffalo Sabres have acquired defenseman Johnny Boychuk from the New York Islanders in exchange for Future Considerations.

Check it out:

This is essentially an administrative move from Sabres GM Kevyn Adams as he'll use Boychuk's $6 million salary to get his team up to the salary cap floor after dealing former captain Jack Eichel and his $10 million salary earlier today.

Boychuk, of course, hasn't played since the 2019-20 season after suffering a devastating eye injury. He'll be added to the Sabres' injured reserve and will likely never suit up for the team. His contract expires this upcoming offseason.

And just in case you somehow, someway missed this morning's blockbuster trade. The Sabres traded Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights along with a 3rd round pick in exchange for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, a 1st round pick and a 2nd round pick.

The Eichel trade had been speculated and reported on ad naseum for months now but only in the past 24 hours had things gotten to the point where it looked like a deal was imminent. Sabres GM Kevyn Adams reported received an offer from Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving yesterday that included star forward Matthew Tkachuk and a package of 1st round picks. That report was either inaccurate or Adams and the Sabres simply weren't enticed enough by Treliving's offer. It was at that point that Adams turned his focus to Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon and hammered out the details of this blockbuster deal and finally consummated the long rumoured deal between the two clubs.

In the end, Eichel is now a member of the Golden Knights and the Sabres have filled his $10 million in cap space with Alex Tuch and the injured Boychuk. More important to the Sabres longterm though is top prospect Peyton Krebs and the 1st round and 2nd round pick acquired from the Golden Knights. As for the Golden Knights... they'll have some serious salary cap maneuvering to do once Eichel comes off the IR in March or April.