Update: The Sabres have announced that Jack Eichel has a high-ankle sprain. As of now, there is no timetable for his return. Bob McKenzie reports that the Sabres are expecting him to be out four to six weeks at minimum, but the team is waiting for a more advanced diagnosis.
…
Everybody hold your breath. Jack Eichel may be seriously hurt. He had to be helped off the ice at practice this morning with a left ankle injury. He let out a yell as he went down according to Mike Harrington.
VIDEO: Jack Eichel goes down at #Sabres practice, has to be helped off the ice. Looks like left ankle. pic.twitter.com/ntUj3asIGE
— Tom Martin (@4TomMartin) October 12, 2016
Dan Bylsma said after practice that Eichel went down in a lot of pain. He’ll be evaluated later today.
Zemgus Girgensons, who collided with Eichel on the play before the injury, told the Buffalo News –
“I was just trying to get the puck, and we got tangled.
“He just fell awkward. It’s always tough to see someone go down, especially a guy like Eichs.”
Based on his reaction after going down, things don’t look good. He was writhing in pain and grabbing at his ankle.
This is seconds after Eichel hit the ice. He screamed and then fell. It’s obvious how much pain he’s in. Extent still unkown #Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/KPOYzQMRAy
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) October 12, 2016
Bylsma asked that fans and the media not jump to conclusions until Eichel is evaluated, but acknowledged the shock of the players on the ice –
“At that point in time you probably could slap them in the face to say, ‘Snap out if it,’ but everyone’s thoughts are with the injury and with the extent of it. We’ll all deal with it.
“Whatever the extent of the situation is, our team is not just Jack Eichel. It’s not just Ryan O’Reilly. It’s just not one player. You expect to have to deal with injuries throughout the year and it just happens that, if he is injured or the extent of his injury, it’s happening on the cusp of the season.”
More to come as info is available.