The relationship between the Buffalo Sabres and former center Jack Eichel ended on a sour note, but it looks like the good guys will get the last laugh.
Fans of the Buffalo Sabres have mixed feelings regarding former center Jack Eichel. Eichel, whose relationship with the franchise reached the point of no return, was traded in November for draft picks, winger Alex Tuch, and forward Peyton Krebs.
Since that trade, Tuch and Krebs have become serviceable players, with Tuch even seeing time on the top scoring line. And since Eichel’s debut on February 16th, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Sabres have had identical records.
Since Eichel’s debut, the Sabres are 15-14-3 (33 points) and the Knights are 14-14-3 (31 points). And unless something drastic happens over the next three games, the Knights will miss the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Ex-Buffalo Sabres center may miss the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Given the Golden Knights level of success since they debuted in 2017-18 as an expansion franchise, everyone in the hockey world thought they would be playing hockey in May. And following a stunning shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks, Eichel’s drought without a playoff appearance draws closer to seven seasons.
Okay, so why does the Jack Eichel thing still matter? The Sabres got their revenge win in March when Tuch stripped Eichel of the puck to sink the game-winner to the delight of fans at the KeyBank Center.
Because, the Sabres hold the Knights’ first-round pick as compensation for the trade. So, if Eichel and the Knights miss the playoffs, the Sabres may hold two potential top 15 picks. The first-round pick acquired from the Knights will be delayed until 2023 if Vegas wins a top 10 pick in May’s draft lottery.
So overall, the Eichel drama has not yet ended. And given their recent improvement this season, the Sabres are a far cry from what they were when Eichel dressed in the blue and gold. So does this thing end following the 2022 NHL Draft (2023 if Vegas has a top 10 pick)?
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Not really. The Sabres may find themselves in a race to make a playoff appearance before Eichel and his Golden Knights next season, assuming Vegas does not sneak their way into the playoffs this year. And it would feel great to potentially make a playoff appearance before Jack Eichel.