One Move That Could Have Rewritten the Rangers’ Future

The Jack Eichel Saga and the Lost Opportunity for the New York Rangers

The summer of 2021 was dominated by a major storyline in the NHL: the Jack Eichel saga. Eichel, who was then playing for the Buffalo Sabres, wanted to undergo neck surgery that the team refused to approve. This led to his desire to leave Buffalo, with the New York Rangers emerging as a potential destination. At the time, it seemed almost inevitable that Eichel would join the Rangers.

However, several factors prevented the trade from happening. But what if the deal had gone through? What would have happened if the Rangers had acquired Eichel before the 2021-22 season?

Would Eichel Have Been the Key to the Rangers’ Success?

The central question is whether Eichel alone could have propelled the Rangers to the top of the league. To understand this, we need to consider what the trade package might have looked like. During that summer, it was rumored that the Sabres were seeking at least an NHL-ready player, a top-end prospect, and some draft capital. Based on the real-life trade involving the Golden Knights, we can speculate that the package might have included Ryan Strome, Kappo Kakko, and a 2022 first-round pick. There may have been additional prospects or late-round picks, but this would have been the main deal.

If Eichel had joined the Rangers, he would have immediately become their top-line center. He would have arrived just as the team’s championship window began to open. Although he might have missed a few months due to his surgery, the Rangers would have likely finished second in the Metropolitan Division. In the playoffs, they would have been much more dominant, easily defeating the Penguins and Hurricanes. They might even have managed to beat the Lightning and make it to the Stanley Cup Final.

While they might have fallen short against the Avalanche, this would have been a significant statement of the team’s return as a contender. A core of Eichel, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin would have been one of the most formidable in hockey. Instead of the Florida Panthers dominating the East during the 2020s, the Rangers would have been the team to watch. They would have consistently made deep playoff runs and likely won at least one Stanley Cup between 2023 and 2025.

Impact on Mika Zibanejad and the Team’s Future

Eichel’s presence would also have affected Mika Zibanejad’s future with the Rangers. Once it became clear that the team wasn’t acquiring Eichel, they focused on Zibanejad as their top center, leading to an eight-year contract worth $8.5 million annually. However, with Eichel on the roster, it’s unlikely that Zibanejad would have received such a deal. The Rangers wouldn’t have paid two players top-line center money, especially with a flat salary cap. As a result, Zibanejad might have walked in free agency after the 2021-22 season.

A New Era for the Rangers

Had the Rangers traded for Eichel before the 2021-22 season, it would have marked the beginning of a new era of dominance for the franchise. It would have been remembered as the greatest trade in Rangers history. The team’s culture and trajectory would have taken a completely different path, leading to a more successful and consistent organization over the years.

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This article originally explored how one move could have changed the trajectory of the New York Rangers’ current core.