Jack Eichel Reveals the One Other Team Close to Landing Him When he Left Buffalo
Photo credit: Dennis Wideman (@widemanden) on X
Whether you're a fan of the guy or not, Jack Eichel's trade from the Buffalo Sabres to the Vegas Golden Knights, is a huge moment in modern NHl history. Speaking about it now, Eichel confirms there was only one other team truly in the mix to acquire him.
Appearing on a recent podcast, Eichel was asked about going to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021, getting the surgery on his neck that he wanted to have, and winning a Stanley Cup the following season. He said several teams checked in on him, and also mentioned other teams were close at different points.
"The Minnesotas, the Carolina, or for a period of time in the early fall it was Colorado."
While there were lots of inquiries, Eichel said none of them seemed that realistic at first. After switching agents, he said several new teams started to inquire.
Eichel: "But when it came down to it towards the end, it was between Calgary and Vegas."
Interviewer: "That was the last two?"
Eichel: "Those were the last two."
Interviewer: "That was the last two?"
Eichel: "Those were the last two."
There were some rumours at the time that the Flames were pitching Matthew Tkachuk to the Buffalo Sabres. While there's no way to be sure how things would have went down, Tkachuk going to the Sabres, and Eichel to the Flames, would have changed things significantly for everyone involved. Tkachuk has become a franchise player with the Florida Panthers, while Jonathan Huberdeau has become a massive flop for the Flames.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 22 | 200 ANSWERS Jack Eichel Reveals the One Other Team Close to Landing Him When he Left Buffalo Do you think Eichel would have won a Stanley Cup in Calgary in his first five years there? | ||
| Yes | 39 | 19.5 % |
| No | 134 | 67 % |
| Not sure | 27 | 13.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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