How the Buffalo Sabres won the Jack Eichel Trade
The Buffalo Sabres have struggled to win games in 2021-22 and they’re once again slated to be spectators come playoff time. But they won out on the Jack Eichel Trade.
The Buffalo Sabres traded forward Jack Eichel and a conditional 2023 third-round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights on November 4th, 2021 for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, a first-round pick in 2022, and a conditional second-round draft pick for 2023. Eichel grew frustrated with the Sabres and the relationship deteriorated to the point the franchise had no choice but to trade the star center.
But in hindsight, Buffalo won out. They would have won this trade even if they didn’t acquire two early draft picks. Why? Because of the chemistry winger Alex Tuch has already built with fellow first-liners Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner. Chemistry that has been on full display since the All-Star Break. And it will continue to grow.
Buffalo Sabres won the Jack Eichel Trade
And this isn’t to take anything away from Eichel. He will turn into a stellar puzzle piece for the young, but proud Vegas Golden Knights franchise. But for a rebuilding team like the Sabres, trading the disgruntled Eichel was the best possible move they could have made.
Let’s break things down further:
- In 16 games, Tuch has 19 points, seven goals, a 13% shooting percentage, and a +/- of eight. Tuch also helped solidify the team’s first line.
- Krebs has eight points in 14 games this season, with a 21.4% shooting percentage. While he’s floated from Rochester to Buffalo and back, he’s making a strong case to contribute as a permanent fixture on the team’s second line.
- The trade has left the Sabres with three picks in the first round at this point – they also acquired a first-round pick in the Sam Reinhart Trade.
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The Jack Eichel Trade set the Sabres up for both their present (Tuch, Krebs), and their future. With the Sabres making smart roster moves as of late, fans won’t be waiting much longer before the royal blue and gold returns to playoff contention. This trade has and will continue to help the Sabres reach that pinnacle.
(All statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)