Rumblings of Eichel trade pick up after unforeseen Ristolainen trade!

The Buffalo Sabres managed to trade defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen to the Philadelphia Flyers for a package that includes a first-round pick, defenceman Robert Hagg and a second-round pick in 2023. 

The Flyers own the 14th overall pick in tonight’s draft, which is moved up to No. 13 with the Arizona Coyotes forfeiting their selection.

Nobody thought this high of a price tag would come for Ristolainen. Which now means the price is steeper everywhere and that involves the return ask for Sabres’ Jack Eichel. 

As Darren Dreger of TSN reports, there are no shortage of suitors for Jack Eichel and the Sabres could manage to pull off another significant intradivisional trade by moving their captain to get their hands on another first-round pick in tonight’s draft tonight. 

The New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks have all been previously attached to Eichel and now it is believed the Montreal Canadiens to get in the mix. 

But are they willing to pay the price? 

Eichel is under contract through 2025-26 with a $10-million cap hit and played his last game of the campaign for the league-worst Sabres on March 7 before being ruled out for the remainder due to his neck injury.

With the NHL Draft taking place tonight, a deal could strike later today!