Sabres trade Eichel to Golden Knights in blockbuster deal

The Buffalo Sabres have traded superstar center Jack Eichel and a 2023 third-round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forwards Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs, a 2022 first-round pick, and a 2023 second-round pick, the team announced Thursday.

Vegas' first-round pick in 2022 is top-10 protected. That means if the Golden Knights select in the top 10, they will keep the pick and the Sabres will receive a 2023 unprotected first-rounder instead.

Trade talks surrounding Eichel have been ongoing for months. The 25-year-old has been sidelined with a neck injury since last March and is seeking to undergo artificial disc replacement surgery. The Sabres wouldn't allow that as they preferred the traditional fusion surgery. This disagreement caused a major rift between the two sides and ultimately led to the trade.

Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed that Eichel will undergo his desired ADR surgery. The procedure is relatively new and has never been performed on an active NHL player before.

McCrimmon added that it's tough to put a timeline on Eichel's recovery, but the GM believes it could be anywhere from three-to-five months.

Tuch is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and could return as early as mid-December, according to TSN's Darren Dreger. The 25-year-old is signed through the 2025-26 season with an average annual value of $4.75 million on his contract. Krebs was selected with the 17th pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. He appeared in 13 games with the Golden Knights, collecting one assist.

Tuch managed 33 points in 55 games last season with the Golden Knights. He scored a career-high 52 points in 74 contests during the 2018-19 campaign.

Krebs will join a crowded prospect pool in Buffalo that includes Dylan Cozens, Arttu Ruotsalainen, Owen Power, and Jack Quinn. The up-and-coming Sabres also have youngsters like Rasmus Dahlin, Victor Olofsson, Casey Mittelstadt on the roster. Additionally, the club could have three first-round picks in the upcoming draft after acquiring the Florida Panthers' selection in exchange for Sam Reinhart.

Eichel, the second overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, spent the last six seasons with the Sabres. In 375 career games, he's scored 139 goals and added 216 assists.

The Golden Knights have lacked a true No. 1 center since entering the league, so Eichel will slot into that role when he can return to the ice. He is signed through the 2025-26 season with a $10-million cap hit per year.