Trading Places is a 1983 American comedy film. The film tells the story of an upper-class commodities broker and a poor street hustler whose lives cross when they’re unwittingly made the subject of an elaborate bet to test how each man will perform when their life circumstances are swapped.
Fast forward to the NHL version of Trading Places, a 2021 saga where the VGK have salaries that total $92,198,027 trade players with the lowest-salaried team, the Buffalo Sabres who have a payroll of $67,959,371.
The NHL salary cap for all teams is $81.5 million. Teams can circumvent this cap by having multiple players on LTIR. That’s another story for another day.
The key players in the hockey version of Trading Places are Jack Eichel, who plays the role of the upper-class commodities broker with his $10 million salary, and the poor street hustler is represented by the young hockey player, Peyton Krebs, who makes a mere $863K. Unlike the movie, the street hustler has a fellow skater, Alex Tuch. These 3 players traded places on Nov. 4, 2021.
Last night, the Buffalo Sabres beat the VGK 3-1. Two of the goals were scored by Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch (an empty-netter). Ironically, Tuch stole the puck from Eichel along the left-wing boards at the blue line as Vegas was pressing to salvage at least 1 point by tying up the game with Laurent Brossoit on the bench for the extra skater. That never happened.
The Buffalo Sabres won’t make the playoffs for the 11th year in a row and now there’s the possibility that the VGK will miss the playoffs for the first time. They’ve lost their last 3 games to inferior teams and scored just 4 goals. They’re 4-7-1 in their last 12 games. Their power play is on life support. Last night, out of 4 power-play chances, they got just 2 shots, with nothing to show for it. Craig Anderson stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced in his 300th NHL game on a night with a crowd of 12,437, the largest this season at KeyBank Center. The fans came to boo Jack Eichel every time he touched the puck. Even his video tribute was greeted with a smattering of applause and a lot of boos.
Eichel arrived in Buffalo in 2015 as the 2nd overall pick and he was supposed to return the Sabres to their glory days; they reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1975 just 4 years after entering the league. They also reached the Final in 1999.
Prior to Eichel’s arrival, Buffalo hadn’t made the playoffs since 2011. Eichel was supposed to change that, but he never did.
When he was a VGK, Tuch and his long stride and speed gave opposing defensemen nightmares. The team never got a good look at Krebs, who played in only 13 games for the VGK and had just 1 assist.
In the 4 years Tuch played for the VGK, they made the playoffs every year, including the famous run to the Stanley Cup Final. Alex cemented his role in Las Vegas and many were sad to see him trading places with Jack Eichel. But Eichel was the missing link that management thought was needed and paid a hefty price, including Tuch, Krebs, and two conditional draft picks (one a top-10 protected first-round pick) going to Buffalo.
It’s too early to write a proper review of this version of Trading Places and who really got the best of this deal. But based on last night’s preview, Buffalo is getting 4 stars, while the VGK wind up in the $1 rental bucket. And Blockbuster would appreciate you just keeping it.
The Sabres played with emotion, especially in the first period, and were on a mission. They didn’t want to be embarrassed by Jack Eichel and Tuch and Krebs had a lot of incentive to make Kelly McCrimmon regret his choice to part ways with them.
I’m really concerned about the VGK’s mental state. They’re in a funk. Their last 3 opponents have a combined -142 goal differential and are at the bottom or close to the bottom of their divisions. Despite their lack of goal scoring recently, Vegas still has a +14 goal differential. But somehow, they couldn’t beat these 3 teams.
To add more salt to the wound, the game-winning goal was by Victor Olofsson on the power play. Jonathan Marchessault lost his cool and took a retaliation penalty after he was plastered from behind. I understand his frustration, but in this current state of needing absolutely every point possible, Marchessault can’t take matters into his own hands. He needs to take the number and wait for a better time to even the score.
Game Notes and Quotes
The last time the VGK were in Buffalo was on Jan. 14, 2020, where they lost by a score of 4-2. The following day, Gerard Gallant was fired as the VGK head coach.
“Plenty of people here were supporting me and plenty of people were booing,” Eichel said. “They must be booing because they wish I was still here. I don’t know. It is what it is. I’m not the first guy to deal with it. So just move on, and yeah, it was a tough game. Give them credit; they played hard.”
“I didn’t get a chance to talk to the guys, but I’m disappointed,” Coach DeBoer said. “We could’ve won in Philly (a 2-1 loss at the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday) and we could’ve won here tonight. So, we have to keep showing up, playing good hockey, and finding a way to win.”
“I think our team showed a lot of maturity tonight,” Alex Tuch said. “Just shows the character and maturity that are starting to come with our team. I think that was a huge win. Especially, obviously, it was against my old team, so it felt really good.”
“Me and Tuchy, we’re passionate about playing here in Buffalo,” Krebs said. “We want to do the best we can for this organization.”
Marchessault’s six-game point streak ended last night.
My 3 Stars of the Game: Peyton Krebs (1G that gave Buffalo a good start to the first period), Craig Anderson (stopped 30 of the 31 shots for a .968 save percentage), Victor Olofsson (1G, a PPG, and the GWG)
Next game is tonight at 4 p.m. Pacific Time against the best team they will face on this road trip, the Pittsburgh Penguins
Your comments and opinions are welcome here at Las Vegas Advisor or you may contact me directly at [email protected] or on my Facebook page or the Facebook page of Vegas Hockey Guy or on Twitter @TheRealJoePane
For more VGK content, check out the Hockey Knights in Vegas Podcast that can be found at this link or on my Facebook page.
One other note: If you’re reading this blog from Facebook or Twitter and would like to access it earlier in the morning before I share it on social media, it’s usually published by 8 a.m. the morning after a game on LasVegasAdvisor.com. What better way is there to enjoy your morning coffee than reading my take on last night’s VGK game.
Peyton Krebs’ goal
Tuch puts the sword into the VGK
Hutton’s see and eye goal
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There’s simply Hass to be a major change not only in the front office but in the coaching staff. What more needs to be said or done? You summed it up when you said the team is in a “funk“. Gallent, The miracle worker, was fired after a four game losing streak despite the wonders he did for the team. Somehow we stick with a coach who can’t coach a team to shoot a puck into the ocean from the dock. You can time with a Calendar when our team started going down the toilet and that was the day that McCrimmon was promoted to general manager.
I think you said it right in one comment when you said the owner is more concerned about selling $35 glasses of wine at the arena then he is about winning the Stanley Cup.
Drew Thrasher had this opinion
they need to get a coach in there that knows how to score points with all our superstars
Drew Thrasher, do you or are you suggesting that DeBoer will be removed?
Joe P.
Shaun Elder sent this comment in
Great article Joe. The Sabres definitely won round 1 of the trade!!
Shaun Elder hands down.
Joe P.
Douglas Carle was not shy about his opinion, and I fully understand his frustration
I fully understand and actually can appreciate that you have to be somewhat “politically correct “in your analysis. However, I can be a little more blunt. There simply has to be a major change not only in the front office but in the coaching staff. What more needs to be said or done? You summed it up when you said the team is in a “funk“. Gallant, The miracle worker, was fired after a four game losing streak despite the wonders he did for the team. Somehow we stick with a coach who can’t coach a team to shoot a puck into the ocean from the dock. Exactly how long does the team put up with the “ Deboer fiasco“. The simple fact that he will not, or cannot, make a change to at least get our power-play up to a “peewee competency level“ should speak volumes all by itself.
As far as team management goes, you can time with a Calendar when our team started going down the toilet and that was the day that McCrimmon was promoted to general manager. If ever there was a more shining example of the “Peter principle“ I cannot think of it.
It is actually more than a shame that a high-octane, “heart filled“ team can be decimated the way that McCrimmon has done so. They play like they don’t care or, more accurately, they are trying to get the coach fired. Well, give the players their wish And let’s throw in the general manager for good measure.
I’m very sorry that this is so harsh but really, how much are the fans supposed to put up with. We had an absolute thoroughbred of a team and it’s been turned into a plow horse by the general manager and coach.
I think you said it right in one comment when you said the owner is more concerned about selling $35 glasses of wine at the arena then he is about winning the Stanley Cup
Douglas Carle, I try to be objective and see the positive side of things with this team but I’m running out of landing space here.
Joe P.
Robert Ball responded to Douglas comments
Douglas Carle In my opinion McCrimmon is to blame. Parted ways with Fleury and Reeves. Gave up way too much for Eichel and his cap hit is enormous.
Douglas Carle added this also
Joe Pane, Like I said Joe, I fully appreciate the fact that you can’t be as bombastic as your readers (such as me lol) but I cannot think of another team in professional sports that would put up with Deboer and McCrimmon like the golden knights have. They should write a book titled “how to destroy a team in two years “
Douglas Carle wrote
Robert Ball you are absolutely correct. There is no doubt that McCrimmon is the cause of all this. DeBoer is just a symptom or example of the incompetency.
Robert Ball wrote
They need Stone back. He makes other’s play Harder. Heart and Soul of this team.
John Eichel will NEVER be the Heart and soul of the Knights. Soon you will be in Salary Cap *$LL! Then Eichel will be the cancer you need to get rid of. The Sabres Mafia thank you for Tuch, Krebs and draft picks! The Sabres are taking their ques from the bills and making team chemistry a priority. Hell had you waited a bit longer you might have gotten John Eichel for just Tuch. Bahahahah
Hey Joe.
Thank`s for a really good recap!
As I was up all night to watch the game live on a stream, I took a extra nap in the afternoon. Were are many hours apart from you timewise. When I woke up, the first thing was to have a cup of coffee and read your recap from the Buffalo game.
I was baffled when you compared the game with that movie I saw in the 80`s.
My thoughts when I woke up was comparing the game with the movie “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves”.
You know the movie having Kevin Costner running around with green tights and stole frome the rich and gave to the poor.
There were no one left to guard the treasures (empty net) so it was an easy task for Brother Tuch to lock up the door.
In my version Krebs were a young Robin Hood scoring a goal by just touching the puck against the grain enough to fool Brossoit.
It was the first cut in the Golden Knights armour, enough to make them bleed.
The second goal, scored by an skilled archer called “Goalofsson”, was an arrow shot through the already broken armour.
The third goal was made by one of Robins best men, Brother Tuch the jovial monk. He took the keys to the room with the treasures of gold and money stolen from the people (i.e. the Vegas fans). The keeper of the keyes was the Sheriff of Nottingham (Eichel)!
At the end of the movie the rightful english king, King Richard (Gallant), returns to England to bring some order in the country (Vegas Golden Knights).
That final scene is just wishful thinking.
It`s a kind of poetic justice how Vegas lost the game.
Your recap shows me that I`m not alone when turning the game into a movie.
Thank you Joe.
Hey Joe.
Thank`s for a really good recap!
As I was up all night to watch the game live on a stream, I took a extra nap in the afternoon. Were are many hours apart from you timewise. When I woke up, the first thing was to have a cup of coffee and read your recap from the Buffalo game.
I was baffled when you compared the game with that movie I saw in the 80`s.
My thoughts when I woke up was comparing the game with the movie “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves”.
You know the movie having Kevin Costner running around with green tights and stole frome the rich and gave to the poor.
There were no one left to guard the treasures (empty net) so it was an easy task for Brother Tuch to lock up the door.
In my version Krebs were a young Robin Hood scoring a goal by just touching the puck against the grain enough to fool Brossoit.
It was the first cut in the Golden Knights armour, enough to make them bleed.
The second goal, scored by an skilled archer called “Goalofsson”, was an arrow shot through the already broken armour.
The third goal was made by one of Robins best men, Brother Tuch the jovial monk. He took the keys to the room with the treasures of gold and money stolen from the people (i.e. the Vegas fans). The keeper of the keyes was the Sheriff of Nottingham (Eichel)!
At the end of the movie the rightful english king, King Richard (Gallant), returns to England to bring some order in the country (Vegas Golden Knights).
That final scene is just wishful thinking.
It`s a kind of poetic justice how Vegas lost the game.
Your recap shows me that I`m not alone when turning the game into a movie.
Thank you Joe.
Now it`s time for Tampa against Calgary on TV!
In my opinion, the only thing that McCrimmon couldn’t buy for this team is heart and soul. I think he traded that away in the eternal search for that “perfect team.” Sadly, I think he had as close a version to that as they could before making all the trades they did. It’s sad to see them this way, but I will support them no matter what
Is Smith injured or is he going to be traded?
Possibly both
So the players aren’t accountable at all…its just coach and front office who aren’t performing?
The last two games your goalie gives up only two goals and you lose..RL gave up two against Philly and LB two against Buffalo and you lose both games..You can’t expect your goalies to pitch shutouts..I sent out the probabilities of winning in the previous article scoring only one goal..How many 2 on 1s and 3 on 1s does Vegas have and fail to get a shot off ? How about getting big bodies in front..Put Kolesar in front ..He can’t do anything else..Lehner gave up a weak goal against Philly and Brossoit gave up a soft goal against Buffalo..Vegas should be able to score some goals against these weak teams to cover up an occasional soft goal by the goaltender..Vegas scored 1 goal against AZ,PHI and BUF..And 2 against Ottawa..These are teams way out of playoff contention..They should be beating up on teams like these in the march to the playoffs..It’s easy to blame the goalies for losses..But when they are only giving up two goals , you should be able to come up with 3..