Failed Atlantic Division Blockbuster: The Buffalo Sabres Nearly Traded Superstar Centre Jack Eichel to the Ottawa Senators

A sensalitionist rumor involving a potential Eichel trade to the Ottawa Senators from his time in Sabres is being alleged.

According to a claim from Senators blogger Kevin Francis, the Senators were interested in a potential Eichel deal prior to his trade to Vegas, although the Senators allegedly made D Jake Sanderson untouchable. The 2020 5th Overall Pick at the time was one of the Senators top prospects, and dominating at the University of North Dakota, along with fellow teammates and Sens prospects Shane Pinto, Jacob Bernard-Docker, & Tyler Kleven.

In a mailbag article by Ian Mendes of 'The Athletic', Mendes speculated that Sanderson was already viewed an untouchable asset by many in the Ottawa fan base, and likely wouldn't be moved, except in a one-for-one deal or similar. No other reports at the time linked Eichel to the Senators, or Sanderson to Buffalo.

One reply was quick to be hesitant, noting allegations that Kevin Francis had been accused of being a "scammer".

Other claims have been made against Francis, including skipping out on providing promised tickets to Senators fans, who never received them. Accounts have warned others to steer clear of Francis, who was also alleged to use fake pseudonyms, although it has not been verified by Markerzone the validity of such accusations.

Locked on Senators, which published allegations against Francis, were threatened with a lawsuit for libel, although it appears nothing has come of such action.

Eichel was traded from the Buffalo Sabres to the Vegas Golden Knights in November 2021, with the Sabres offloading Eichel and a 2023 3rd Round Pick (Mathieu Cataford), acquiring Peyton Krebs, Alex Tuch, a 2022 1st Round Pick (Noah Ostlund), and a 2023 2nd Round Pick (Traded to MIN in the Jordan Greenway deal, MIN selected Riley Heidt).

Eichel, selected 2nd Overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, wo the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. Eichel had 27G, 39A & 66P in 67GP for Vegas last season. Sanderson, who remains in Ottawa, had 4G, 28A & 32P in 77GP for the Senators in 2022-23.

Read More At House of Hockey - REPORT: The Details of a Failed Jack Eichel Trade Revealed

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