Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch are the future first-round draft picks and future second-rounders. As part of the deal, Vegas will also receive a future third round draft pick.
The Sabres will receive a 2022 first rounder and a 2203 second-rounder if Vegas’ 2022 top-10 pick is not available. Vegas will also get a 3203 third-rounder. If Vegas’ 2022 first round pick is not a top-10 selection Buffalo will get a 2023 first-rounder or a 2204 second-rounder. The Golden Knights will receive a 324 third-rounder.
Sources told ESPN that Buffalo has not retained any salary in the agreement.
Sources told ESPN that the Calgary Flames had also been in talks with Buffalo’s GM Kevyn Adam this week.
Eichel, 25, was No. In 2015, Buffalo selected Eichel as the No. 2. He is currently in the fourth year on an eight-year contract worth $80 million. This year will also be the last before the full no-movement clause takes effect next summer. His relationship with Buffalo was strained last season due to a dispute over the treatment of a herniated disc in his neck.
Because Eichel has never had an artificial disc replacement performed on an NHL player, the Sabres preferred Eichel to undergo fusion surgery. The NHL Collective bargaining Agreement rules give teams the final say in how injuries are treated.
Sources told ESPN that Eichel was able to have his preferred surgery in Vegas and with most of the teams Eichel talked to.
Buffalo removed Eichel from his captaincy and he is now on injured reserve. Eichel has scored 355 points in 375 career Buffalo games in six seasons.
Eichel will likely be able to skate within six weeks of his surgery. However, it is unlikely that he will be able to contact for at least three months after that time. This timeline would place Eichel’s return after the All Star break. It also likely means that he will not be able to compete in the 2022 Olympics for Team USA.
The Golden Knights (4-5), have been decimated by injuries this season. Five players are on injured reserve, and that’s not counting William Karlsson who is out indefinitely due to a broken foot.
The Sabres have added parts to a young, rebuilding squad that is off to an even better start than expected at 5-3-1 with Don Granato as their first-year coach.
Tuch will be out until January following shoulder surgery in the offseason. Tuch, a hard-hitting winger, has scored 61 goals and 78 assist for 139 points over 249 career games. Krebs, a 2019 first round pick, has one assist in 13 career NHL matches.
