Eichel sweepstakes reportedly down to Vegas and Calgary
We could be nearing a conclusion in the Jack Eichel saga.
According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, there are two finalists in the mix to trade for Eichel — the Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames. Kaplan goes on to report that both teams are willing to let Eichel get his preferred surgery.
Here’s the latest on Jack Eichel.
Multiple sources tell ESPN it’s down to Calgary and Vegas. Sabres GM Kevyn Adams is working hard to get it done, but neither team has met his asks yet.
Sources say both teams are OK with Eichel getting his preferred surgery. pic.twitter.com/uiJsGFeDmE
Eichel suffered an injury back in March and missed the final 33 games of the 2021 regular season. In May, Eichel said there was a “disconnect” between him and the Buffalo Sabres in regards to the way his injury has been handled.
While the Sabres recommended Eichel undergo surgery to repair a herniated disc, Eichel wants to get an artificial replacement disc put in his neck. Eichel’s preferred surgery has never been performed on an NHL player but it has successfully been done on other elite-level athletes.
The disconnect between Eichel and the Sabres has stretched all the way to the present. Back in September, Eichel failed his physical and was stripped of his captaincy.
The Sabres have since been carrying on without him in the lineup and they have a surprising 5-3-1 record.
Eichel was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft, one spot behind two-time Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid. Through 375 games, Eichel has scored 139 goals and 355 points for the Sabres, though the team hasn’t been able to reach the playoffs.
A major hurdle for any team looking to acquire Eichel is his contract. He has four years left after this one on his deal worth $10 million annually and the Sabres have said they don’t want to retain any salary.