Golden Knights Acquire Jack Eichel in Blockbuster Trade
Vegas says farewell to original Golden Knight Alex Tuch and prospect Peyton Krebs as part of trade
The Buffalo Sabres announced that they will be trading longtime center Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights, the team confirmed Thursday morning.
TSN’s Darren Dreger first broke the news that in addition to Eichel, Buffalo is also trading a 2023 third-round pick to the Golden Knights in exchange for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, and a first-round pick in 2022 and a third in 2023.
Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon believes that adding Eichel was a necessary step in making Vegas an even more competitive team.
“We are getting a player that I think is one of the top players in the league. He’s in the prime of his career. It addresses a need in our organization,” McCrimmon said during a press conference Thursday morning. “When you look at what a contending team should look like, he’s a big part of that.”
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— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) November 4, 2021
The Golden Knights have acquired Jack Eichel and a conditional pick from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, and two conditional picks.
JACK EICHEL IS A GOLDEN KNIGHT!!! #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/T8hLG2BcZI
The 25-year-old was Buffalo’s No. 2 pick in 2015 is currently in the fourth year of an eight-year, $80 million contract. During his six seasons with Buffalo, Eichel scored 355 points in 375 career games and had served as a captain.
The decision to leave Buffalo seemed welcome by Eichel, who since last season, has been in a disagreement with the team over how to treat a herniated disk in his neck.
The Sabres originally wanted Eichel to undergo fusion surgery, but the player instead wanted an artificial disk replacement. Currently, NHL collective bargaining agreement rules, teams can make the final decision on how to treat an injured player.
Eichel’s captaincy was stripped, and he has remained on injured reserve this season.
According to ESPN, sources told the network that Eichel will undergo the surgery he wanted as soon as this week. As a result, he’ll likely be out for at least three months until he’s cleared to play.
Following Tuch’s departure, William Carrier, William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, Brayden McNabb, Reilly Smith and Shea Theodore remain as the only original Vegas Golden Knights players.
Tuch was acquired by Vegas during the 2017 Expansion Draft from the Minnesota Wild, appeared in 249 games for the Golden Knights.
During his career with Vegas, he recorded 139 points –61 goals, 78 assists) to go with 71 penalty minutes in 249 games. He also finished with 33 points (19 G, 14 A) to go with 34 penalty minutes over the course of 66 Stanley Cup playoff games during four separate postseasons.
Krebs was drafted by the Golden Knights in the First Round (17th overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 13 NHL games and has registered one assist.
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