Huh? He literally can't leave

he’s not going anywhere lol, plus all of his best friends are here

He’s an RFA. He has no choice but to stay.

He signs something large and longterm, he can take his contract with him if he ends up leaving via trade. Something along the same lines as what his brother did in Calgary, as long as negotiators are in the same neighbourhood on term and price.

They brought his friends so he doesn’t leave lmao

He could refuse to sign and or ask for a trade

Sure. Ottawa can laugh in his face. That’s not really a real life concept in the NHL. Ya, PLD got traded, but he did sign for two years.

He’s an RFA. He can’t say peace. He has no leverage. Zero.

For arguments sake, even if he could leave, I doubt he would. They gave him an “A” this year for a reason- he’s embraced a leadership role in the room and is committed to changing the culture in the organization.

Learn about what Restricted Free Agency means.
You're right he can refuse to sign with Ottawa, which might also mean he won't be playing in the NHL for four years.

Players don’t threaten to leave because their team is losing, they threaten to leave because the team isn’t being improved, like Eichel. Ottawa’s biggest need is on defence, and those needs are developing now. The next biggest need is top6 centres, and his two best friends are the top6 centre candidates.

There’s absolutely no reason to think he won’t be staying in Ottawa. This is some whacked out melodrama.