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Islanders three dream trade deadline acquisitions

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders attends the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders attends the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JANUARY 24: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders talks with Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres during the 2020 NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Enterprise Center on January 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Jack Eichel | Buffalo Sabres

Yeah, you read that right. Jack Eichel. After another disappointing loss for the Buffalo Sabres against the Montreal Canadiens on January 30. Sabres fans are asking to trade Jack Eichel, not cause they don’t like him. On the contrary, they want him traded for his own sake.

That’s one of many Sabres fans hoping that Jack Eichel could get a new start in a new market. One that could help him win something. Or make the playoffs at least.

Now in his fifth season in the NHL, Eichel has become that dominant center everyone projected he’d be at the 2015 draft when he was selected second overall after Connor McDavid.

In 51 games this season, Eichel has 31 goals and 65 points. A pace of 105 points over a full 82 game season. He’s putting up a Hart Trophy worthy season and the Sabres are once again ten points back of a playoff spot.

If that holds, Eichel will have missed the playoffs in all five of his seasons in the NHL so far. And there’s no end in sight. Buffalo isn’t exactly loaded with talented youth looking to make the jump to the NHL. Their prospect pool recently ranked 16th according to The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler (subscription required).

The Islanders have $24.57 million in deadline cap space so there’s no issue bringing on Eichel and his $10 million cap hit. It’s the six years that follow where the Islanders would need to get creative.

But then again, the Isles were trying to land Artemi Panarin at a $12 million cap hit, so something tells me they’ve already got a plan to add a sizable cap hit like Eichel’s.

It’s easy to see why adding Jack Eichel would be a dream scenario for the Islanders. But it’s equally a dream to think he is actually moved by the Sabres. Just imagine how much the Islanders would have to give up to get him, it would be absolutely astronomical. But it would probably be worth it.

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