Jack Eichel is in Montreal.
It is also home to the Canadiens, whose GM Marc Bergevin happens to be a close friend of Pat Brisson, Eichel’s new agent. Brisson was born an hour outside of the city in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec and played junior hockey in the QMJHL where he forged a lot of the relationships he has today.
Eichel attending BioSteel Camp
A buzz generated when reporter Eric Engels said that Eichel was jumping on a plane with his hockey sticks heading to Montreal. That was followed up by Elliotte Friedman confirming that it was to attend the BioSteel Camp with other NHL players like Connor McDavid.
“The goal for the week is to leave here feeling good and feel like your game’s where it needs to be heading back to Edmonton and getting back with the guys,” McDavid told Stephen Whyno of the AP. “That’s the main focus is making sure your game is where it needs to be.”
So there is no trade to Montreal imminent but that doesn’t mean there won’t be.
The Eichel to Canadiens trade rumors are starting back up again
Heading into the draft, there was a lot of talk between the Canadiens and Sabres about Jack Eichel. Nothing ever materialized, but with Pat Brisson at the helm of Team Eichel, the talks are starting back up again.
On his last podcast, Elliotte Friedman started to speculate that the Canadiens may not match the Jesperi Kotkaniemi offer sheet from the Hurricanes. Instead, they will take the first round pick and third round pick as compensation and use it in a package for Eichel.
“I’m not sure Montreal is big in the Jack Eichel sweepstakes,” Friedman began. “There’s a long history between Pat Brisson and Marc Bergevin. I just wonder if this changes the dynamic between the Sabres and the Canadiens at all.”
The relationship between Brisson and Bergevin could be a small factor, but the key here is the additional picks the Habs could get as compensation to add to their previous package. Or maybe they match and send Kotkaniemi to Buffalo as part of the deal.
Another big question is if Buffalo would even consider sending him to a team within the division. There preference is to trade him West.
Either way, the once dead rumor of Eichel going to the Habs should gain some more steam in the coming days.
More must-reads: