2.) The Golden Knights acquire Jack Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres
While Jack Eichel hasn't been as tenured as Reilly Smith was on the Vegas Golden Knights, he's already making an impact with the team. Last season, he scored 31 goals and 37 assists in 63 games, making him one of the most prolific centers in the NHL. Yes, he's dealt with injuries during his career, which include lower-body problems. However, he's been more than reliable during the postseason.
He scored six goals and 20 assists during the 2022-23 Stanley Cup run. It showed he was capable of rising to the occasion, creating countless scoring opportunities for his teammates. That included Marchessault, who scored 13 goals en route to his Conn Smythe trophy. Last season was another reliable campaign, where he scored three goals and four assists in seven games.
The purpose of the Jack Eichel trade was to acquire a game-changing center for the top line. The Golden Knights had searched among numerous names for that person, hoping to finally get over the hump. It turns out the former Hobey Baker winner did that, becoming the cornerstone that Kelly McCrimmon and company were searching for.