What does that change?? Do you think the Sabres are still a year further along than the Leafs?
No and I never said they were.
And what it would change? Well the teams standings for one. Buffalo would be where Toronto is right now or higher in all likelihood.
Buffalo without Eichel this year= 7-9-5 (last in goals for) only three games with 3 or more goals.
Buffalo with Eichel 18-14-5 (22nd in goals) and have scored three or more over 20 times.
Yes from 3 ....to 20.
Not too mention his 31 points in 37 games and how much he improves Sam Reinharts game who is producing more then double the points with him in the lineup.
THEN you take into account like I said if Toronto had missed Matthews for the first 21 gp and then had one of jvr and marner out for a dozen games each at different times and you have a dramatic change in the present standings.
I think both teams are in similar places when it comes to re-building.