If the Sabres were going to retain on Eichel, he'd already be in Denver

I think they are going to end up retaining on Eichel when its all done.

Toronto gives up a prospect and pick to retain salary without anything back?

No TOR gets Kadri-- BUF retains on his deal

I believe the leafs get Naz retained - I just made a similar trade idea

This is good value in the Eichel trade. I believe if you bring in a 3rd team to retain salary and take out some value from Buffalo's side and give it to the team retaining it would be a good trade

So who exactly plays 2C for the Avs for the next 6 months? The move literally guts the Avs farm system and picks. Eichel makes sense in COL if BUF is willing to lose the trade outright. Which won’t happen.

avs are not gutting their team for a guy who wont be playing until Late March if they are lucky and he got the surgery today.
Logistically this makes 0 sense. They do not have to move out dollar for dollar amount on Eichel this season, he is going to miss the whole season

i don't see it happening. i bet they have to take back one or two bad contracts but i doubt they retain.

They really shouldn't have to retain. 10 million for Eichel, (as long as there is a high degree of certainty he will regain top health) is a great contract. Any GM would make that salary work. They just need to know if he's going to get healthy again.

Highly doubt it. He's a top 10 player when healthy, as long as he comes with a high degree of certainty that he will regain his health. He's absolutely worth his 10 million salary. Anyone who still thinks star players making big money is a problem is our to lunch. You guys are the reason GM's still hand out huge contracts to replaceable depth.

That is the likeliest outcome yup

Also, why would TO send a 1st rounder for a guy who is 100% going to get suspended for the whole playoffs?