Surprise, the Sabres don’t want to lose their best player.
Buffalo is trying to lock-up the face of the franchise long-term, as Buffalo and Jack Eichel are talking contract according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun. Eichel has one year left on his entry-level deal before he is a restricted free agent.
The “Eichel really wants to play for the Bruins” conspiracy theorists can calm down a little bit.
Time for me to be Captain Obvious for a second. Eichel is obviously very important to the success of this team. He led the team in points with 57 (24 goals, 33 assists) despite only playing 61 games due to a serious leg injury.
Eichel has played two years with Buffalo, scoring 48 goals and 113 points in 142 games.
The news comes on the same day as reports of an enormous contract extension for the player picked ahead of Eichel, Connor McDavid. TSN’s Frank Seravalli reports the Oilers and McDavid are close to signing an eight-year contract worth $13.5 million per year. So, expect any Eichel deal to be very pricey for the Sabres, likely totaling at least $9 million per year.
Jason Botterill needs to be careful with his money, as Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Evander Kane will all be free agents after this season.