Personally, I don't think the Eichel situation is something that can be used as a measuring stick for a return in a trade. Eichel was never going to play in Buffalo again, so Buffalo literally had no leverage. I don't think Winnipeg is in the same spot, and I wouldn't be surprised if the ask was Kakko+ for PLD.

The 1st round pick and Schneider should be which to get the Jets talking at least. Provided they decide to move Dubois now.

If Eichel wasn't injured then his value would've been a lot higher.

A package IMO would look like Kakko, Schneider, 2023 1st for PLD.

Eichel's value is higher. Shouldn't be more than two prospects and a 1st. One high prospect with NHL experience (Kakko, Chytil, Schneider) and a lower one with potential (Korzcak, Zac Jones)

And how do the Rags afford him?

Same reasons why Vegas is able to afford Eichel.

Cap gymnastics

Using Eichel as an example might be just discouraged the Rangers......Sabres won the deal in 21/22 and certainly in the future.
And 2nd line centre PLD salary is likely too high for any team and especially for the Rangers.
The Reinhart deal is a better comparison.

At the current moment, Vegas isn't affording him. They're down to 14 skaters, and are still over the cap by about 3M.

They'll find a way.

Yeah, and it will likely hurt like hell in trade costs unless another braindead GM or two steps up to the plate. And then when the season unfolds, their abject lack of any appreciable depth will sink their dumb asses again, and again they'll somehow find a way to miss out on playoff revenue. So I must assert that "afford" is not the correct term.

Unrealistic like most