What would the Anaheim Ducks have to trade to acquire Jack Eichel?

The Anaheim Ducks are a surprising suitor for Jack Eichel, but what would they have to give up to get him?

The Buffalo Sabres and Jack Eichel are headed for a parting of ways, as Sabres’ general manager Kevyn Adams openly acknowledged this past week. It may not happen until after the expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken on July 21, but it will happen.

A few weeks ago, as trade talks started to pick up, the Anaheim Ducks emerged as a surprising suitor for Eichel. The Ducks have been in a state of rebuild/reload. But after three straight seasons out of the playoffs, and finishing with the second-lowest point total in the NHL this year, general manager Bob Murray may be compelled to make a big move this offseason.

In concert with his aforementioned report regarding Eichel trade talks picking up, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet pointed to the Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings as top destinations if Buffalo wants to send him West. Both teams have top-10 picks in the upcoming draft, which will surely appeals to the Sabres.

What would the Ducks have to give up for Jack Eichel?

Any offer the Ducks could make for Eichel starts with the third overall pick. Center Trevor Zegras or defenseman Jamie Drysdale may have to be included too, but if the Sabres lose leverage as time passes that could change. Anaheim has other prospects and young players who could get Buffalo’s attention.

One veteran would could be sent to Buffalo is winger Rickard Rakell. He’s coming off a down year (28 points in 52 games), but he has scored more than 30 goals twice in his career. He’ll be a free agent in 2022, but that just makes him a tradeable asset at the deadline next season if it comes to that.

Max Comtois, Isac Lundestrom, Troy Terry, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Brayden Tracey and 2020 first-round pick (27th overall) Jacob Perrault form a group of other young forwards (minus Zegras) the Ducks could tap into to include in their offer for Eichel.

With the No. 3 overall pick as the tentpole, and without giving up Zegras or Drysdale, here’s an offer the Ducks can make for Eichel.

If that’s what it takes, are the Ducks willing to part with Zegras or Drysdale in a deal for Eichel? That’s the biggest question here, but they can shape a viable offer in multiple ways if the No. 3 pick in what’s been tabbed as a weak draft isn’t a step too far.