Jack Eichel took a bold move Friday to get out of Buffalo. Eichel fired agents Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli and signed with Pat Brisson, dubbed one of sports' most prominent agents. Anze Kopitar, Claude Giroux, and Nathan MacKinnon are just a few of Brisson's NHL contracts totaling over $1 billion. He also has a long connection with Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin.
It has been reported in the past that Brisson and Bergevin are childhood friends, becoming close as kids growing up in Montreal. According to the Montreal Gazette, Tyler Toffoli's agent, Brisson, convinced him to join with the Habs. Montreal Gazette When Bergevin opted to trade Alex Galchenyuk to the Arizona Coyotes for Max Domi, Brison was both players' agents. Both players were circling. "Both players probably had fears Brisson might be attempting to help Bergevin as much (and maybe more) than them," the Gazette reported after Max Pacioretty and Max Domi sacked Brisson as their agents. On top of all that, Bergevin's last contract as a player in the NHL was negotiated by Brisson, who was functioning as his agent at the time.
Montreal has been seeking for a star centre for years, and Eichel may fill that void. A friendship between the GM and Eichel's agent shouldn't hurt. The major question is what Montreal must give up. Carey Price, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Alexander Romanov are Bergevin's "untouchables."
For Buffalo, who looks to be rebuilding yet again, Suzuki, Caufield and Romanov would all be sought after pieces in its quest to turn things around in the long-term. Former 3rd overall selection pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi may also be a component in those discussions.
