Eichel update: ‘Don’t Sleep on Calgary, Colorado’

Once again, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman stirred up Calgary Flames fans with more NHL trade chatter about the fate of Jack Eichel. He reported early Friday afternoon the Vegas Golden Knights and Buffalo Sabres were in “serious” talks for Eichel.

Multiple Hockey Now sources close to the situation confirmed to Vegas Hockey Now that those trade discussions with the Golden Knights are taking place.

The interesting tidbit for Flames fans is the cautionary note that followed from one league source.

“Don’t sleep on Calgary or Colorado,” the source said, as published in VHN.

Flames fans may be a little less disappointed after the incredible road trip sweep the team just put together. However, it does seem like the Flames could finish as a runner-up in the chase for Eichel if GM Brad Treliving chooses not to pay the price.

Calgary Flames atop list of Friedman’s curiosity last week

Friedman had Calgary at the top of his list of curious tire kickers last week and that competition hasn’t gone away in spite of the fact Vegas seems like the frontrunner at the moment.

The Avalanche and Flames are both in a position where significant dollars would have to go the other way. The Golden Knights’ injury troubles give them more flexibility.

According to Puckpedia, the Avalanche are have just over $1.5 million available under the NHL salary cap, including what’s tied up in LTIR . The Flames are in an equally inflexible spot, with a little more than $1 million accumulated.

With more than $8 million free right now, the Golden Knights make sense as the frontrunner for the 25-year-old centre who wants an artificial disk replacement surgery, which no NHL player has undergone before.

Eichel played only 21 games last season, scoring twice and earning 18 points before shutting it down in the regular season in March.