EICHEL DRAMA ESCALATES AS SABRES WORK THE LINES

TORONTO, ON — Sometimes, the best offense is a good offense. Right? At least that’s how things seem to be going in Buffalo these days.

Both the Sabres and Jack Eichel’s agents have dug in and taken their battle to the public – even if GM Kevyn Adams inadvertently started things off on Thursday.

After reiterating to reporters “we’re in control of this process,” Adams opened the door to a countered response by Eichel’s agents, Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli, who opened a statement by saying “the process is not working.”

Usually when the battle takes to the streets, it’s confirmation the relationship is unsalvageable. Both sides want a trade, there’s no mistaking that. Eichel’s camp thought a move would be completed by now. The Sabres are waiting for the best possible deal.

There was some noise Saturday evening that Buffalo might be willing to retain part of Eichel’s $10 million cap hit to help facilitate a trade and maximize a return. The Sabres aren’t afraid to spend money, but I’m not so sure eating part of a 24-year-old superstar’s contract for the next five seasons is the most calculated move. An argument can be made that while the Sabres rebuild, they’ll have enough cap space to go around – at least until the cap starts to climb again in a few seasons. Nevertheless, it’ll come down to price and what teams are willing to pay.

A $7 million Jack Eichel is more attractive than a $10 million Jack Eichel. A $5 million Jack Eichel gets all 31 other teams back to the table. But what’s the cost?

The New York Rangers are absolutely interested in Eichel, confirmed multiple sources, none of whom believe (as of Saturday night) a trade is imminent. The Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets are also interested. Will the Minnesota Wild circle back? Will other teams reengage, especially if the Sabres are willing to retain some salary? It sounds like it.

Sometimes public displays help the process. Just ask Pierre-Luc Dubois. We’ll have to wait and see if it works this time.

WARNING SIGNS IN SAN JOSE

An ugly scene Saturday is going to get uglier after Evander Kane’s wife, Anna, revealed domestic problems and made gambling accusations on her Instagram account.

While I won’t get into their marital issues, her insinuation that Kane bet on his own games is going to be problematic. Within two hours of per posts – on an account that was previously private – the NHL caught wind of the matter and later released a statement indicating that they “these allegations very seriously” and “intend to conduct a full investigation.”

In one of her posts, Anna wrote, “Can someone ask Gary Bettman how they can let a player gable on his own games? Bet and win with bookies on his own games?”

Kane, whose name popped up in trade speculation earlier this month, denied those accusations Sunday morning, claiming his “soon to be ex wife” is “mentally unwell.”

Kane’s gambling history has been made public in the past. He has already been battling bankruptcy, creditors and lawsuits, and these allegations paint another poor picture. He is under contract with the San Jose Sharks for four more seasons and is owed $26 million over that period.

Speaking with multiple sources inside the Sharks organization, I’m told players on the team made GM Doug Wilson and management aware of Kane’s indiscretions, including gambling on sports as recent as this past season. Nobody I spoke with knew if he ever gambled on hockey. While some feel those warning signs fell “on deaf ears,” according to one Sharks source, the events of the past 24 hours will surely force the team to act in some fashion.

This subject will continue to escalate, as Anna Kane already responded to Evander Kane’s denials via social media on Sunday.

LOU’S RULES

New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello is doing his thing. There is a lot of work being done behind the scenes on Long Island and while the fan base is growing furiously impatient, if you haven’t figured it out by now, you never will. It’s Lou’s world, and we’re all just living in it.

Yeah, the waiting game stinks. There are those within the NHL even wondering when all of Lou’s work becomes revealed. He doesn’t care. Frankly, neither would I. But I don’t run the Isles, so I’m just as curious.

According to multiple sources, the Islanders have several agreements in place with multiple players, including some two-way deals. When the Islanders formally announce these deals is anybody’s guess.

As it’s been reported and speculated by me and others, the Islanders are believed to have deals in place with Zach Parise (one-year), Kyle Palmieri (long-term), Casey Cizikas (long-term) and Travis Zajac (one-year). Is there more to come from the UFA market? What about adding a defenceman to play the left side? Ryan Murray or Sami Vatanen, anyone?

Contract negotiations with restricted free agent Adam Pelech are ongoing, but as of Saturday, it didn’t sound like a new contract was close, which could be by design. Camps for fellow RFAs Anthony Beauvillier and Ilya Sorokin are also chatting away.

I also wonder if talks have begun with defenceman Ryan Pulock and forward Cal Clutterbuck over contract extensions. Both players are in the final year of their respective contracts.

On the trade front, it’s no secret the Islanders would move Leo Komarov and Thomas Hickey to free up cap space if the opportunity arose. I’m led to believe they’re still one of the teams engaged in talks with the St. Louis Blues about Vladimir Tarasenko, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Lamoriello’s exploring alternative options.

If you think the Islanders are just chilling by the campfire listening to Springsteen, you’re greatly mistaken. The boss is working. And I’m not talking about Bruce.