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Buffalo Sabres: Comparing the Eichel trade to Florida’s Tkachuk trade

By Sion Fawkes

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 22: Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on February 22, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 22: Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on February 22, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres
Apr 23, 2022; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) tries to control the puck as New York Islanders right wing Josh Bailey (12) knocks it off his stick during the first period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

The Better Trade?

Since the Buffalo Sabres will face the Panthers four times in 2022-23, we are only going to compare which of the two teams made the better trade in the short run. Obviously, we won’t know which trade will ultimately prevail until a later date, at least three seasons down the road. But as of July 2022, you can’t help but go with the Sabres.

Why? Let’s go back to November 2021 when they traded Eichel. Unlike the Flames, who acquired two proven veterans that dominated at their respective positions last season, the Sabres traded for a middle six forward and a prospect who had played in exactly 13 NHL games with one total point to his name.

Tuch and Krebs played in a combined 98 games for the Sabres last season and scored a combined 60 points. Not outstanding numbers, but pretty good considering they both started playing for a dysfunctional Buffalo Sabres team at around midseason. They are clear-cut staples for the franchise heading into 2022-23.

As for the Panthers, they are banking on giving up two proven fan favorites in Huberdeau and Weegar. They also parted ways with a promising prospect in Schwindt. We also need to remember that the Panthers will also be without Mason Marchment (signed with Dallas), Anthony Duclair (Achilles injury), and Claude Giroux (Ottawa).

Now, you just removed two of the league’s best players at their respective positions from the equation. There is going to be a lot riding on the 24-year-old Tkachuk’s shoulders heading into 2022-23.

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