Blackhawks Rumors: Officially in the Jack Eichel sweepstakes

The Chicago Blackhawks are not a very good hockey team. They have a lot of issues all throughout the lineup and most of them aren’t going to get fixed any time soon. They have, however, been involved in some rumors so far this offseason. For one, they have been connected to both Seth Jones and Dougie Hamilton. Now, Larry Brooks of the New York Post is reporting that they are now a part of the Jack Eichel sweepstakes. 

The Chicago Blackhawks apparently have interest in a blockbuster Jack Eichel trade.

That is the type of move that would send shockwaves around the NHL. Eichel is one of the game’s top young superstars. He has the ability to score anywhere from 90-100 points in a full regular season. If he came to the Chicago Blackhawks, that would change everything for this team. He is the definition of a number one center on any team in the league.

Of course, a deal like this would come at a price. The Sabres would start with Kirby Dach. He was the third overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Dach is a great player but, in all likelihood, he is never going to be as good as Jack Eichel. There are people that will argue with that fact but Eichel is on another planet. Dach is still growing his game but to be honest, so is the 24-year-old Eichel.

The Blackhawks currently have the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft which would also probably have to be included in this deal along with another player or two. If that seems like a lot, it is. Eichel is that good and will command that type of return from the Buffalo Sabres.

Now you can start to wonder why the Hawks might want a guy like Eichel. Well, for one, we don’t know the status of Jonathan Toews for absolute sure. The reports are right now that he will be there for camp. With that said, how good will he be if he is healthy? Either way, Eichel would be the new top center going forward. He would also be the anchor of the team’s top power-play unit alongside Patrick Kane.

It would be interesting to see if Eichel and Kane would play together at even strength or if they would try and spread the wealth. Eichel can rack up assists due to his elite playmaking but his shot is off the hook. He does need to be coached up in terms of using his lethal shot more but that will come in time. If the Hawks have a chance to make a move like this, they should do it no matter what.