BHN Puck Links: Are Bruins Out Of Jack Eichel Trade Sweepstakes?

Are the Boston Bruins out of the running in the Jack Eichel sweepstakes on the NHL trade market?

In his Yahoo column on Monday, Adam Gretz ranked the favorites to acquire Eichel on the NHL trade market and had the Bruins as a wild card at best.

“Eichel has already made it clear that he would like to someday play for his hometown team, and with David Krejci on his way back to the Czech Republic there is an obvious hole on their second line. Eichel would also eventually take the torch from Patrice Bergeron as the new No. 1 center in the future. From a hockey standpoint it makes total sense. The problem: The Bruins do not have a ton of salary cap flexibility and they are badly lacking in young assets that Buffalo would want. It also seems impossible to think that the Pegula’s would allow Eichel to end up in their same division.”

Gretz is absolutely correct that the Bruins lack the cap space to take on the $10 million cap hit Eichel carries for the next five seasons. Despite having $28.4 million in cap space before NHL free agency kicked off last Wednesday, the Bruins now suddenly find themselves cap-strapped again with just $1.6 million in cap space remaining. 

With Foligno & Ullmark added, #NHLBruins have $1.6M Cap Space with a full 23 players on projected roster (13F/8D/2G).https://t.co/2o0hsHzUIy pic.twitter.com/ciSgWkHMpx

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 28, 2021

He’s also correct in stating that the Bruins just don’t have the young assets the Sabres are looking for on the NHL trade market. However, Eichel’s value on the NHL trade market likely took a dip this past weekend after Eichel’s agents called out Sabres GM Kevyn Adams for prolonging the inevitable Eichel trade. Remember, Eichel’s impending neck surgery and which one he has done is also a huge sticking point of contention that is diminishing his value on the NHL trade market.

What Gretz is incorrect on is that Adams won’t trade Eichel to an Atlantic Division team. While, Adams would love to send Eichel out west and only have the Sabres play him once or twice a season, that ship has sailed. Adams is in no position to be picky anymore needs to get the best possible return out there at this point. That return is not what it used to be either. So with that in mind:

If the Bruins were willing to part with young forward Zach Senyshyn, defenseman Jakub Zboril or fellow rearguard Urho Vaakanainen and a first round pick, would that pry Eichel away from the Sabres?

That may sound like a ton to the Bruins prospects junkies and at the same time not enough to the Sabres prospect gurus, but Eichel’s value on the NHL trade market is all over the place right now and the return will likely not be what one expected just a week ago. 

Now onto the rest of your BHN Puck Links:

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins prospect Johnny Beecher is hoping to sing a ‘Redemption Song’ for his junior season at the University of Michigan. (BHN)

National Hockey Now

Per Sheng Peng: The NHL trade chatter around San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meier has gone south because of his hefty contract. (San Jose Hockey Now)

Detroit Red Wings goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa (2021, 15th overall) is upholding his reputation as an elite trash-talker and already getting on Team Canada’s nerves for chirping in practice. (Detroit Hockey Now)

New Pittsburgh Penguins forward Brock McGinn met the Pittsburgh media for the first time and let it be known that he believes he has more offense to give. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Sammi Silber believes Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson could have a much different impact next season. (Washington Hockey Now)

Per Sportsnet NHL Insider, the New YIslanders are believed to have a deal done with Casey Czikas, too. (NYI Hockey Now)

Former No. 2 overall pick Ryan Murray, who has long been a regular on the NHL trade rumor circuit, signed a bargain basement deal with the Colorado Avalanche. (Colorado Hockey Now) 

Are the Vancouver Canucks the deepest team up the middle in the Pacific Division? (Vancouver Hockey Now)

After Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ron Hextall poached a few of the Philadelphia Flyers scouting and development staff, the Flyers have revamped their own staff. (Philadelphia Hockey Now) 

NHL

Is New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello waiting to sign forwards Zach Parise and Kyle Palmieri because he’s trying to pry St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko off the NHL trade market? (Spector’s Trade Rumors)

The Chicago Blackhawks are pledging to release all information found in their investigation on the sexual abuse scandal. (TSN)

Staying with the Blackhawks, are they now a Stanley Cup playoff contender after going wild on the NHL trade and free agent markets this offseason? (Chicago Sun Times