NHL debate: Should struggling Buffalo Sabres trade franchise cornerstone Jack Eichel?

As the Buffalo Sabres' slide continues, their frustration is mounting.

“It sucks. It’s the worst part about hockey," defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said Sunday after back-to-back shutout losses to the Philadelphia Flyers. "We have to turn this around.”

The Sabres scored two goals in their next game but lost to the New York Rangers. Heading into Thursday's game at the New York Islanders, they're last in the East Division and rank 29th in goals per game despite having the third-best power play.

“If we had answers, we would be spitting them out," captain Jack Eichel said. "We’re trying to figure it out as well. It’s a really good group of guys in there, and we’ve stuck together, but it’s definitely been tough the past little bit.”

The Sabres had their season paused by COVID-19 protocol and nine players were on the list at one point. They've gone 2-7-1 since returning. Eichel missed two games with injury and $9 million player Jeff Skinner was a healthy scratch for three games.

Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel has been the subject of trade rumors. (Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports)

Amid all this, Eichel trade rumors have been growing since the summer, to the point that Rangers fans chanted, "We want Eichel." With the Sabres 10 points out of a playoff spot, should they trade their most marketable player before the April 12 deadline?

USA TODAY Sports hockey staffers weigh in.

Mike Brehm: No. Sabres fans had to deal with a lot of losing in 2015 to finish last overall but lost a shot at Connor McDavid when the Edmonton Oilers won the draft lottery. Eichel was a good consolation prize, and though he hasn't matched McDavid's production (and he wasn't supposed to), he has not been a problem in Buffalo. The Sabres could get assets for pending unrestricted free agents Taylor Hall and Eric Staal (if they waive no-trade clauses). They could buy out Skinner in the summer and again try to build around Eichel. This remains a long-term rebuild.

Jace Evans: Yes! Eichel is an exceptional player – and that could earn the Sabres an exceptional return on the trade market. Though he's still young at 24, this is his sixth season and the franchise has yet to build a team around him that can even compete for a playoff spot, much less compete for a championship. Based on their present circumstances, by the time the Sabres finally turn into a meaningful contender, Eichel will be in his late 20s at best and exiting his hockey prime. Though it's tough to admit the rebuild that got you Eichel in the first place has failed, hitting the reset button by trading the American star should net quite a haul – high-end prospects and multiple first-round picks are seemingly in the offing for a player like Eichel  – that should help the Sabres form a stronger foundation around their next great star. 

Jimmy Hascup: No. What are two positions teams seemingly are always searching for? No. 1 centers and No. 1 defensemen. Why give up one of the scarcest commodities when you have one that has been an asset? Eichel is only 24 years old with a track record of elite play. He is the type of player a team drafts and grooms and doesn't let depart. He can still be the lynchpin of a rebuild. Dysfunction in Buffalo is the only reason Eichel's name has entered the rumor mill. Perhaps this group should look harder at the real problems — overpriced players such as Skinner at $9 million for seven more years (including this one) and Kyle Okposo for three more at $6 million. Tear it down around Eichel but don't let him leave.

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