NHL Rumors: Sabres lower price on Jack Eichel trade; and Lightning will not ask Steven Stamkos to waive clause

The Buffalo Sabres have lowered the asking price on Jack Eichel. I gathered back in late June that GM Kevyn Adams was trying to generate more interest in his injured and disgruntled star, and now Elliotte Friedman is confirming that in his latest podcast.

It’s the first real sign that the Sabres are acknowledging they can’t get what they want. This represents a move in the right direction for any buyer.

NHL Rumors: Sabres lower price on Jack Eichel

“I give Buffalo some credit on this. Buffalo has been very good lately on keeping secrets,” Friedman explained of their handling of a Jack Eichel trade. “They are not letting anyone see Eichel’s medical unless you are legit in it.”

Access is only being granted to teams that are making an offer.

“I heard the price on Eichel is high,” Friedman noted. “It’s not as high as it was before but it’s still high. And it’s young. Your best prospects and picks.”

When news initially broke out that Eichel was on the block, the rumored ask was in the form of four first round picks. Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports clarified.

“If they trade him they want four pieces that are first round picks,” he said. “Or players that are playing if not in the NHL or elsewhere like the NCAA – that were first round picks and are having success and not struggling.”

No team in their right mind is going to give up four first round picks for any player not named Connor McDavid. Remember, it’s a negotiation and the seller starts high so this isn’t a surprise. One team source I spoke with stated that no one is going to give Buffalo what they are asking for Eichel. Who at the time was not injured.

Let’s say it’s now 3 pieces instead of four. That should draw more teams to the table. However, if the Sabres are not willing to eat some of that $10 million cap hit, they aren’t getting that return. Primarily because only a handful of teams can take on the full hit. The Rangers and Ducks being the two teams that standout.

I predict a deal will be done before the NHL Draft on July 23rd.

Lightning will not ask Steven Stamkos to waive no-move clause