The Vegas Golden Knights have reached an agreement with the Buffalo Sabres to acquire injured star centre Jack Eichel in a trade.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Two teams have agreed on it. Trade call is coming. Alex Tuch is part of return.</p>— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) <a href=”https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1456222629556277249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>November 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports Eichel and a third-round pick in 2023 go to the Golden Knights for centre Peyton Krebs, winger Alex Tuch, a first-round pick in 2022 and a second-round pick in 2023.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported on Tuesday that the Golden Knights and Calgary Flames appeared to be the last two standing in the deal and both teams would allow Eichel to get his preferred herniated disk surgery, a dispute he and the Sabres could not resolve. Eichel is not expected to be ready to return until after the Olympics.
Eichel favours having artificial disc replacement surgery while the Sabres were against him having the procedure because it has never been performed on an NHL player, and wanted him to have the disc fused.
The American sustained his injury after being checked into the end boards in a game against the New York Islanders in March.
Friedman reported earlier this season he was considering filing a grievance through the NHLPA to force a resolution to his stalemate with the Sabres.
He has not commented on his situation since revealing the rift with the team and questioning his future in Buffalo during a Zoom call shortly after the Sabres’ season ended in May. He switched agents in August, hiring Pat Brisson.
There was little expectation Eichel would pass his physical with Buffalo. The option of surgery became necessary once the injury showed little sign of healing after doctors initially recommended Eichel rest it through the start of June.
After serving as captain since 2018, the Sabres stripped Eichel of his captaincy when training camp opened on Sept. 23.
The 25-year-old has five years left on an eight-year, $80 million contract, which features a no-trade clause that kicks in next summer.
The Sabres finished last in the standings last season while matching an NHL record by missing the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season, but have surprised many by starting this season 5-3-1.
Eichel, picked second overall out of Boston University in the 2015 NHL Draft, had two goals and 16 assists in 21 games last year.
The six-foot-two centre has 355 points (139 goals, 176 assists) in 375 career NHL games.
Tuch, selected 18th overall by Minnesota in the 2014 Draft, has 61 goals and 78 assists in 255 career NHL games with the Wild and Golden Knights.
Krebs, picked 17th overall by the Golden Knights in the 2019 Draft, has one assist in 13 career NHL games.
— With files from The Associated Press
