Eichel Stays

I doubt Skinner waives his no movement clause with so much time left on his contract, but we can hope. I wouldn’t retain on Risto either, but that trade can still be done.

The question is, why would he want to, and then why would the Sabres want him to?

To elaborate, what is realistically going to change to get eichel to be a happy captain of a team for the next five years, and potentially beyond?

I think it would be very optimistic to think if he stays with the Sabres, he’ll play a playoff game in the next three years, and optimistic still to think in the next five that they’ll be a contender.

So what’s the best play here? Let him haplessly play out his contract, maybe scrounge out a 500 season or two. Maybe trade him in his contract year when he has a full NMC? Then be right back at square one.

Or, trade him now when his term would have to be very attractive to a lot of teams, and he has zero trade protection. Do the rebuild, do it right, and move on it with it. It’s the best case for everyone.

Oh, he would definitely waive. I feel like pretty much every player on the roster would happily get out now. The problem is, no one would ever take that contract.

I've said something similar and really, you articulated it well.

Honestly tho, whether Eichel is traded or not, the big thing this organization has to address is the poor drafting and even poorer developing. Without those things the Sabres will be life and death to even compete for a playoff spot.

If i owned that team, i would fire the entire scouting department, and instruct them to follow central scouting for the next two years.