Kaapo Kakko may become key to Rangers winning Jack Eichel sweepstakes

As the Jack Eichel Saga descends into scorched earth territory, with the center’s agents releasing a statement calling out the Buffalo organization while general manager Kevyn Adams attempts to pretend leverage is on his side, it occurs that the Sabres could come out of this whole if they are willing to retain 50 percent of the center’s cap hit in a trade.

Because if Eichel is only going to count at $5 million against the cap the remaining five years of his contract, then the Rangers would be in position to extend Mika Zibanejad in the $9 million range and present a powerhouse one-two punch down the middle for the foreseeable future. There would still be a squeeze figuring that between $15 million and $16 million would have to be set aside for Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox, but the Rangers should be able to maneuver through it.