Why the Dallas Stars must trade for Jack Eichel

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BUFFALO, NY – JANUARY 11: Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres skates the puck with Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks applying pressure during the second period of the NHL hockey game between the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on January 11, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Nicholas T. LoVerde/Getty Images) /

Jack Eichel on the Dallas Stars locks the franchise in as a competitive one for the foreseeable future. Many fans have soured on Eichel because of the endless melodrama with the Buffalo Sabres. However, there is no denying Eichel’s talent and tangibles he would bring to a team chasing its 2nd Stanley Cup.

At a time when Eichel’s trade value has reached semi-discount, the opportunity is now for Jim Nill to make a deal. Stay with us as we explore why the Dallas stars need Eichel and why it could happen.

Eichel is one of the best players in the NHL

Dallas Stars fans should not let injury and the Buffalo Sabres mismanagement cause confusion or memory loss. Jack Eichel is a franchise talent with the potential to be a generational American hockey player.

DALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 30: John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars skates the puck against Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres at American Airlines Center on January 30, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Eichel was the consolation prize to Connor McDavid in the 2015 NHL Draft. As a rookie, the Massachusetts native posted 56 points to include 24 goals. Additionally, Eichel was quick to establish himself as a special teams asset, posting 21 power play points at the age of 19.

Eichel’s offensive metrics ballooned more as he progressed through seasons 2-4. Ironically, his COVID-shortened season of 2019-20 was his best in terms of goals (36) and power play points (27). Eichel opened 2020-21 on a similar, blazing pace before his neck injury got the best of him and derailed his year.

Dallas needs depth at center

The Dallas Stars are no different than any other NHL team in that center depth is crucial to success. The Tampa Bay Lightning built quality depth at the position and are experiencing the payoff. The Brayden Point extension and Pierre Edouard Bellemare signing prove Tampa’s understanding of and attempt to maintain depth at the position.

EDMONTON, ALBERTA – AUGUST 31: Joe Pavelski #16 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 31, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

With Joe Pavelski approaching the twilight of his career and Seguin turning 30, the time to find the next guy is now. The Dallas Stars need a young, dynamic player that can anchor their top line for years to come. Jack Eichel’s age and skills are exactly what the Stars need.

Jack Eichel on the Dallas Stars would keep Seguin anchoring on the 2nd line and potentially move Pavelski to right wing. Pavelski has plenty of experience on the right side during his Sharks days. The veteran became a much better player after the move to center, but Pavelski is older and wiser and can make the transition work in Big D.

Just think of a top line that is Hintz, Eichel, and Pavelski.

The Stars lack scoring

There is no denying that, when Jack Eichel is healthy, he will lead his team in offense.

The Dallas Stars finished 16th in NHL scoring last season, an unfavorable fact we mentioned the other day. Big D’s offense was a tad less productive in 2019-20, but stout defense and clutch moments propelled the Stars to the Cup final. Regardless, many fans disagree with how the Stars are currently oriented.

We asked Twitter what the Stars need to do to win the West in 2022 and received a few replies along the lines of:

because I believe this team would thrive with an offensive minded coach
— FloWie (@fwieser55) August 19, 2021

For Dallas, a transition to a more offensive-focused team starts with getting Eichel into a victory green sweater. If Jim Nill agrees with Stars fans, he is already (covertly) working out a trade for Jack Eichel.

The Stars have pulled the big trigger before

8-years ago, the Dallas Stars acquired Tyler Seguin in a 7-player swap with the Boston Bruins. The trade worked out in the Stars favor as Seguin immediately built chemistry with Jamie Benn and quickly evolved into a Texas hockey scoring machine.

DALLAS, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 11: Jamie Benn #14 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his goal with Tyler Seguin #91 for a hat trick against the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period at American Airlines Center on February 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Seguin’s trade took the NHL world by surprise as few saw it coming. Boston Bruins fans remain shocked that the club dealt their former 2nd overall draft pick. Dallas Stars fans remain more shocked that Jim Nill mustered the audacity to make a blockbuster deal.

Nill sought to bring a franchise player to Dallas in Seguin. To make the deal, Nill parted with a top 6 forward and 3 prospects. The trade worked out favorably for the Stars who took advantage of Boston’s frustration with Seguin. Does history have a chance to repeat itself with Jim Nill, the Buffalo Sabres, and Jack Eichel?

Eichel to the Dallas Stars seems unlikely, but one can never say “never”. Either way, fans cannot deny the fact. Eichel in Big D would make the Stars a better offensive team. -JG

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