The trade market for Jack Eichel is reportedly heating up again for approximately the twentieth time in the past four months, as early-season results and the deadline for him to participate in the Olympics offer the impetus for a deal to get done. For real this time, we think.

A number of teams have essentially removed themselves from the bidding since the 2021 NHL Draft, when Eichel was supposed to find a new home, simply by running out of patience and finding alternatives. The New York Rangers re-signed Mika Zibanejad to a massive extension and the Los Angeles Kings signed Phillip Danault to be their No. 2 centre moving forward, for just a few examples.

But a few teams still remain in the chase, and they are reportedly locked in something like a bidding war to add the franchise centre

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