Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Sabres, Jack Eichel 'hopeful' trade will materialize soon

After months of tension and drama, star forward Jack Eichel is still at odds with the Buffalo Sabres. Could recent developments finally lead to a trade?

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, other clubs are beginning to show interest in the former second-overall draft pick, who has been sidelined for six months with a herniated disk in his neck.

As Bleacher Report's Mike Chiari points out, the Sabres aren't obligated to trade Eichel since he is under contract through the 2025-26 season. That said, it doesn't seem likely the Sabres would keep the 24-year-old given the distraction it would be for players and the coaching staff.

Eichel was stripped of the captaincy last month after failing his pre-training camp physical due to his ongoing neck injury. Eichel and the Sabres also publicly have been at odds over which procedure he should get to fix the neck injury, and the team has made it difficult for other clubs to inquire about trading for him. 

The back-and-forth regarding Eichel's health has fueled many recent conversations in the hockey committee, even leading to a very intense and bizarre rant from former teammate Robin Lehner.

Off-ice drama aside, a change of scenery could greatly improve Eichel's on-ice production. The center has been stymied through his young career by being on an underdeveloped Sabres team that has been one of the worst in the league since before Eichel was drafted. Given Eichel's caliber of play, Buffalo could potentially get a good deal for trading him and set the foundation for a proper rebuild.

Now it's just up to the right team to come along and give Eichel a new home.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Thursday's NCAA men's tournament Sweet 16 takeaways: New faces going to the Elite Eight
Did breakup with J-Lo cost Alex Rodriguez the Timberwolves?
Draymond Green explains what happened with his latest ejection
Rob Manfred makes first public comments on MLB’s Shohei Ohtani investigation
Watch: Mike Trout hits first home run of 2024 MLB season off Corbin Burnes
Jets owner blasts report about alleged 'heated conversation' with HC Robert Saleh
Browns GM names player he wants to 'retain as long as possible'
UNC HC Mack Brown explains why ceiling for QB Drake Maye is 'so high'
Watch: Massive three-point swing helps No. 4 Alabama stun No. 1 North Carolina in Sweet 16
Watch: Diamondbacks set franchise record with 14-run inning
UConn continues historic run of dominance after rout of San Diego State
No. 2 Arizona beat themselves in Sweet 16 upset to No. 6 Clemson
Watch: Rangers' World Series banner unveiling leaves a lot to be desired
Watch: Kendall Diggs' three-run blast lifts Arkansas to victory over LSU
Watch: Juan Soto cuts down runner at plate to save game for Yankees
Royals' Cole Ragans sets franchise record in impressive Opening Day start
Guardians trade for two pitchers to round out Opening Day roster
Patrick Beverley's decision to play through his injury is a boost for Bucks
Corbin Burnes dominates in Orioles debut, significantly raises their ceiling
Watch: Base running error spoils Shohei Ohtani's first home Dodgers at-bat