Buffalo accepts before Bergevin goes past Caufield.

3 issues. Trading for an elite center you don’t get to protect the 1st. If BUF did do it they would have zero interest in Tatar and Byron, and no salary cap management wouldn’t be BUF problem to balance the trade. So I think more realistically for a elite C signed long term you would need to add something of significance like another unprotected 1st or Romanov . At least that’s my take.

The first would be unprotected

Not bad, but no 1st protection.

Definitely the closest offer I've seen

So suzuki, caufield, and an unprotected 1st in a great draft. Ok. The rest of the stuff can come along too for cap as long as nobody pretends that they add any value.

And since when team can't protect their pick ? have you a reference or a comparable to support your theory?

Just pointing out, hes not a sabres fan. Hes a neutral fan.

And it's supposed to change the facts? He is assuming that Elite players don't get traded with pick protection but i have at least 5 comparable that said otherwise. There no need to be neutral to make right statement.

An elite 1C trade the closest you get is the Karlsson trade. Good enough for you?

First of all the closest trade are Joe Thorthon, Eric Lindros, Joe Nieuwendyk was a little bit older but he was still a elite centerman. As for the Karlson trade they had a option to swap pick 2019 to 2020 but since they have kept Evander Kane they had no choi ce but to send them their 2020 pick that have been extremely costly at this point. So Again Can you tell me where did you get your information about unprotected pick ?

No where pick conditions are parts of trade the NBA pioneered the deals after some teams got burned. If you are trading Eichel you aren’t going to accept any conditions on the picks that’s my whole point, BUF isn’t accepting conditions on a pick if they are trading Eichel.