If you have not already pushed the panic button on the entire Jack Eichel situation, you can certainly press it now. During Eichel’s zoom press conference yesterday afternoon, he made it clear that he has not been happy with how the Buffalo Sabres have handled his situation since his injury.
Jack Eichel essentially says the Sabres wouldn't let him have surgery on his herniated disk in his neck.
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) May 10, 2021
His body, his choice?
"It doesn't work like that. I wish. ... I'm under contract with this team and they definitely hold a lot of cards on what I can and can't do."
There was a lot of talk about Eichel potentially being traded before the trade deadline, but once he was injured, the trade talks died down a bit. But after his media availability yesterday, the Eichel trade talks are stronger than they ever have been.
So everyone better buckle up and get ready for an offseason full of mock trades that involve the Sabres captain. After yesterday, it is very difficult to see how this relationship between Eichel and the Sabres can be mended enough for Jack to want to return to Buffalo.
Jack Eichel: “I’ve been a bit upset about the ways things have been handled since I’ve been hurt. There’s been a bit of a disconnect between myself and the organization. The most important thing now is to get healthy and be ready to play hockey next year, wherever that might be.”
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 10, 2021
That last line of that quote is the one that will hit home the most for Sabres fans. Although Eichel is not set to become a free agent until 2026, he cannot even commit to saying he will be back in Buffalo. If Jack is traded this offseason, it could very well be one of the lowest points of this franchise over the past decade.
Although there is a talent gap between the two players, this Eichel situation is eerily similar to the Ryan O’Reilly situation when he wanted out of Buffalo. Being in Buffalo and part of a losing franchise for multiple years is just unbearable for some of these star players, and they know they can thrive in a different place.
Ultimately, the Sabres still need to agree to trade Jack. It seems pretty evident that he does not want to be there anymore, but at the moment, he is still a part of the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo would need to be absolutely blown away by a trade offer to accept it. But do not be surprised to hear more and more rumors surrounding Eichel once we get further into the offseason.