Things are not looking good between the Buffalo Sabres and Jack Eichel. A situation fans, media and other NHL organizations are watching closely, the news regarding Eichel’s injury and potential surgery continues to make front-page news, this time getting attention based on comments made by TSN’s hockey insider Darren Dreger.
Dreger notes there was no consensus among the doctors Eichel saw on the west coast specific to disc replacement. He adds that the Sabres remain strong on their position for fusion surgery and the two sides are still very much at a crossroads. In the end, it could lead to a long time away from the team and the NHL.
The reason this is so contentious is because of the consequences involved. If Eichel gets the surgery he’d like — one that is relatively unproven to be effective — this is an asset the Sabres could use that has tremendous value, either in a trade or as a player on the ice. Some have argued the team shouldn’t have such control over a decision like this, but it’s easy to understand why the Sabres’ organization feel it important to protect a $10 million per season asset.
At the same time, there’s a belief that perhaps the Sabres have spoken to some teams about a trade and those teams might be concerned about the disc replacement. If Eichel goes the direction he wants, other teams who give up as many as five assets to acquire him could be left with a player who might have to end his NHL career early.
It’s a sticky situation. The Sabres want what they think is best for the player, but also the team. The player wants the surgery he thinks will work best and other teams looking at Eichel want to know they’re trading for a player that will actually have a chance to play out his contract.
As such, there seems to be no real solution in sight. If one doesn’t present itself soon, Eichel won’t be at camp and the chances he’s unlikely to play for the Sabres this season go up.
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