2021 NHL regular season thread

I don't want him. Not at that salary. And even if he earned less.

Rangers need help at center. But they would be much better with a second-line type who can win face-offs, which were a major weakness.

In games I have watched, Eichel's body language at times has been miserable, and he sometimes looks like he isn't even trying.

$10 million a year for the next 5 years is a big commitment. The Rangers will have Mika Zibanajad's contract expiring after next season. If they have Eichel there at $10 million a year for the next several years, they are going to have trouble retaining Mika too with what he is going to command. Mika is older and he may be a problem to resign if he wants a longer contract than the team wants to give, but I'd still rather have him. Plus, they are not getting Eichel without giving up good assets. And Eichel's neck injury is still a question.

The Rangers should be focused on developing the 21 year olds they already have right now -- they are all going to be coming off those $900K contracts, too, and that is when the cap could become a problem. They should use the cap room they have now to add the right role players, some size and grit that they were missing and target a more meat and potatoes kind of center who is a caliber down from Eichel -- for a lot less money.