Eichel's trade value dropped after latest report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman

First and foremost, according to Friedman, the frontrunner Los Angeles Kings appear to have dropped out of the market for Eichel. Friedman quotes Kings insider John Hoven, who claims that the team has shifted its concentration elsewhere.

Friedman says:

«If John Hoven writes that the Kings are out on Sabres captain Jack Eichel, then there's a greater than 0% chance that that's exactly what's happening. If he's writing that, someone is very legitimately telling him that.»

That's clearly a major issue for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams. After all, only a few teams have the cap room and trade assets necessary to acquire Eichel this offseason. If the Kings are no longer in the running, who is left? What about the New York Rangers?

But don't get too excited, Sabres supporters... the news gets even worse.

Friedman claims that not only the Sabres, but also other GMs around the league, disagree with Eichel's decision to have neck surgery. More importantly, Eichel's obstinacy is thought to be costing the Sabres money in the trade market.

Friedman says it again:

«No one will go on record and say it, but there are teams that agree with the Sabres medical staff on Eichel's recovery plan, and there are teams that don't. At the end of the day, I don't think the Sabres want to bring back Jack Eichel. They want to move on.»