Jack Edwards on OMF: Say no to Jack Eichel if it means trading David Pastrnak or Charlie McAvoy

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It’s trade rumor season with the NHL trade deadline a little over a month away, and probably the biggest rumor as it relates to the Bruins involves Sabres center Jack Eichel.

Any Eichel trade most likely won’t happen until the offseason, but if the Sabres do ultimately make their frustrated star available after what looks like yet another lost season, the list of suitors should be long.

The Bruins would be wise to at least inquire about Eichel given that David Krejci is a free agent after the season and Patrice Bergeron isn’t getting any younger, but the cost would surely be extremely high. The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa cited a source this week who said the conversation would start with David Pastrnak or Charlie McAvoy.

NESN play-by-play man Jack Edwards joined Ordway, Merloni and Fauria on Friday and said if that’s the case, he’s out, calling Pastrnak and McAvoy “untouchable.” (Listen to the full interview here.)

“Two untouchables,” Edwards said. “Because those are guys who not only are great players at their respective positions, but they aren’t even at their ceilings yet. Eichel certainly isn’t at his ceiling either, but the intangible of McAvoy and Pastrnak both totally buying into the Bruins’ culture and not trying to hit the ball out of the park every time they come up for a contract, that’s really important.

“Patrice Bergeron signed a long-term contract a few years ago and we kind of scratched our heads because he left millions of dollars on the table. But the nature of that contract and the quality of Bergeron’s play says he accepts that several million dollars a year is plenty to live on unless you’re living an outrageous lifestyle, and it sort of puts a cap culture into place. The Bruins have that, and despite their shortcomings, or perceived shortcomings of personnel, they have flexibility because of the Bergeron mentality.

“That’s really, really important. If you bring Eichel on and you realize that he’s not a good fit, it’s too late. You can’t get Pastrnak back. You can’t get McAvoy back.”

Eichel, 24, is signed through 2026 with an annual cap hit of $10 million. McAvoy, 23, is signed through 2022 with a $4.9 million annual cap hit. Pastrnak, 24, is signed through 2023 with a $6.67 million annual cap hit.