The Buffalo Sabres traded star forward Jack Eichel and a 2023 third-round draft pick to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday for forwards Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs, a top-10 protected 2022 first-round pick and a 2023 second-round pick.
The Sabres announced the terms of the trade, which resolves an ongoing dispute between the organization and their unhappy former first-round pick over how to treat his neck injury.
Eichel will undergo artificial disk surgery this week, per reports, a procedure never done on an NHL player. The Sabres had been pushing for Eichel to have fusion surgery to repair his herniated disk.
He played in just 21 games in 2020-21 and has not suited up this season. The Sabres stripped him of his captaincy ahead of the 2021-22 season when he failed his physical.
🚨 OFFICIAL 🚨
The Golden Knights have acquired Jack Eichel and a conditional pick from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, and two conditional picks.
JACK EICHEL IS A GOLDEN KNIGHT!!! #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/T8hLG2BcZI
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) November 4, 2021
Eichel, 25, is in the fourth year of an eight-year, $80 million contract. Vegas inherits his $10 million cap hit this season, per reports.
He has 355 points (139 goals, 216 assists) in 375 games, all with the Sabres. Buffalo took him No. 2 overall in the 2015 draft.
Alex Tuch Recovering From Surgery
Tuch, 25, underwent shoulder surgery in July and has yet to play this season. His recovery is expected to continue through the first of the year. He had 18 goals and 33 points in 55 games last season. The former first-round pick has 139 points (61 goals, 78 assists) in 255 games with Minnesota and Vegas.
Krebs, 20, has yet to tally a point in nine games this season. He’s played in just 13 games since being taken No. 17 overall in the 2019 draft.
Once he has the surgery, Eichel could be cleared to skate in six weeks but would be out at least three months before he’s cleared for contact.
–Field Level Media
