BHN Puck Links: A Smear Job On Eichel’s Agents; NHL Trade Rumors

During the course of a season, and even more so in the offseason, reporters will call on agents to get a scoop off the NHL trade and free agent markets. Agents will use reporters in a similar fashion as they try to influence the NHL trade and free agent markets. Sometimes though, for a myriad of reasons, agents won’t want to play the game and will even ghost a reporter. It happens to the best of us. 

Based on his recent column on the Jack Eichel NHL trade market, and how ugly things are getting between the Sabres captain and the team, it’s pretty clear that Eichel’s agents weren’t willing to play the game with Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. There’s no knowing what was said between the two parties but clearly, Harrington had an ax to grind with Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli. 

In case you missed it, Fish and Donatelli released a statement on Friday night that called out Sabres GM Kevyn Adams’ handling of Eichel on the NHL trade market and the team’s handling of Eichel’s neck injury.

A statement from the agents of Sabres captain Jack Eichel: pic.twitter.com/9vyY4albk2

— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) July 31, 2021

Whether he felt slighted by Fish and Donatelli and/or is in the back-pocket of the Sabres, Harrington crossed the line and repeatedly insulted Eichel’s agents. He started by referencing a classic John Tortorella rant from back when he coached the Tampa Bay Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup.  

“Park your ego. Shove it in your pocket,” Tortorella said before delivering his infamous punchline: “Shut your yap.” That would be my message to Eichel’s representatives, Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli. Just zip it.”

He then went on to accuse well-respected Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of being in the pockets of Fish and Donatelli. Friedman recorded a podcast with a doctor who sides with Eichel and his reps on what neck surgery he should have. That was released less than 12 hours after Fish and Donatelli released their statement.

“Maybe the agents were involved, maybe they weren’t. But the optics of it all were so poor that podcast host Elliotte Friedman, one of the most respected media insiders in the game, took to Twitter shortly after the interview was released to clarify that it was done Friday night before the statement was issued and that he had no knowledge the statement was coming.”

I can tell you that Fish and Donatelli have been lukewarm when it comes to providing information on Eichel to Boston Hockey Now but that’s their choice and right. That doesn’t mean that my BHN colleague Joe Haggerty or me are going to write a complete smear job of them or any other agents we couldn’t pry info from. Harrington is a well-respected veteran reporter that I think does a pretty good job of covering the disaster that is Buffalo Sabres. However, in this instance, he acted anything but professionally. 

Boston Bruins  

I know it’s hard to swallow for Boston Bruins fans that longtime Bruins center David Krejci isn’t returning to the Bruins for a 15th NHL season in Black and Gold, but this is pretty cool! I, for one, am so happy for Krejci and wish him nothing but the best.

Máme nová saka, ale trenérovi nějak nesedí… Nevíte, co s tím? 🙂 #DK46 #VšeciSpolu pic.twitter.com/tiKJrIzX5D

— HC Olomouc (@hcolomouc) August 2, 2021

Speaking of Krejci, the Bruins put together a cool video montage tribute for him. (Boston Bruins)

In the past, some Bruins fans and media that cover the team have clamored for the Bruins to sign or poach Evander Kane on the NHL trade market. I get that feeling that the latest hot water Kane finds himself in, will cool that desire to see him become a Bruin. (BHN)

National Hockey Now

The Evander Kane situation is getting worse. He responded to the allegations that his soon-to-be ex-wife posted on Instagram, alleging he bet on San Jose Sharks games. THEN his wife responded again with some intensely personal stuff. Sheng Peng has more. (San Jose Hockey Now)

 What will the Pittsburgh Penguins lines look like next month? Dan Kingerski laid them out. Pens GM Ron Hextall Hextall has some work to do because here’s what Mike Sullivan has to work with. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

 The Washington Capitals found themselves in a similar situation as the Pittsburgh Penguins. Blow it up, start the rebuild, or hold on tight. Like the Penguins, the Capitals are going to hold on tight. Sammi Silber writes, thinks that’s the right call. (Washington Hockey Now) 

Both former Flyers goalies quickly found new homes in free agency, and both landed squarely in the Eastern Conference. (Philly Hockey Now)

Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe was a steal in free agency last year. Florida pushed Tampa Bay all season and in the playoffs. Now it’s time for the next step and part of that was signing Verhaeghe to a new contract. (Florida Hockey Now) 

Our colleague at CHN, Adrian Dater, is doing a cool thing. Subscribers are getting to write their opinions about the state of the Colorado Avalanche. How do fans think the Avs did on the NHL trade and free agent markets recently? (Colorado Hockey Now)

The Detroit Red Wings were bad last season. And the year before that. Really, really bad. But Steve Yzerman hit the NHL trade market, signed a few free agents, and voila! The Red Wings will not be as easy an out as the last two seasons. (Detroit Hockey Now)