Jack Eichel reveals he was almost traded to a Canadian team
Ever since the Buffalo Sabres lost the draft lottery in 2015 and were unable to draft Connor McDavid, the team and city seemed to be dissatisfied with drafting the consensus number 2 pick, Jack Eichel. After the team toiled away in the basement of the standings, and Eichel had a differing medical opinion than the Sabres to deal with an injury, he finally requested a trade out of Buffalo that sent him to the Vegas Golden Knights.
A player with Eichel's clear potential to be a franchise centreman doesn't get traded often, and many teams were interested in acquiring him at the time. In a recent interview, Eichel detailed the process of the move out of Buffalo, and even revealed that he was almost dealt to the Calgary Flames at the end of the process.
But when it came down to it, towards the end, it was between Calgary and Vegas.
In that deal that almost came to fruition, it was widely reported by insiders at the time that Matthew Tkachuk would be part of the return going back to Buffalo.
It's incredible to see a player reflect so candidly on the harsh trade process that he endured so early on in his career, and even provide specific details about the trade. Although it never happened, it would've been incredible to see Eichel on the other side of the Battle of Alberta, playing rivalry games against Connor McDavid.
In the end, Eichel was the winner of the saga in Buffalo, and has since proved to the hockey world his elite talent and ability to lead his team to a Stanley Cup victory - before McDavid has done so.
POLL |
DECEMBRE 21 | 488 ANSWERS Jack Eichel reveals he was almost traded to a Canadian team Who should've traded for Eichel? |
Vegas is perfect | 179 | 36.7 % |
Calgary | 170 | 34.8 % |
Colorado | 57 | 11.7 % |
Other | 82 | 16.8 % |
List of polls |
|
22 minutes ago | By Liam McCormick Details teased of new Edmonton Oilers logo coming on alternate jersey |
|
2 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Oilers interested in waiver claim on young defenceman from Utah Hockey Club |
|
4 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Top Oilers insider suggests GM Stan Bowman is shifting on goalie trade |
|
5 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Jesse Puljujarvi NHL career likely over after Penguins move him out of organization |
|
6 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Connor McDavid may be in for major change after Crosby replacement picked for Team Canada |
|
8 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Oilers coach Knoblauch gets brutally honest about Stuart Skinner's performance |
|
20 hours ago | By Ryan Hall Stuart Skinner's biggest weakness exposed versus Colorado Avalanche |
|
20 hours ago | By Ryan Hall Oilers may have interest in star Islanders defenceman placed on trade block |
Previously on Oilers Daily