One storyline that Sabres fans will never forget is the drama between the organization and Jack Eichel over how to handle his neck injury. Back in 2021, Eichel suffered a herniated cervical disc in his neck, and he wanted to undergo artificial disk replacement surgery, but the Sabres refused to allow that. This led to months of drama and trade rumors that ended with him being shipped to Vegas. But what if things were different? What would have happened if the Sabres let Eichel have the surgery he wanted?
How does Jack Eichel presence affect the Sabres seasons?
Instead of waiting months, Eichel likely gets this surgery sometime in March or April of 2021. This would keep him out the rest of the season, as he did in our timeline. But getting the surgery then allows him to rehab during the offseason and, barring any setbacks, allows him to suit up for opening night. The return of Eichel would bring a lot of excitement into the 2021-22 season. He likely gets a hero's welcome when he returns to Buffalo.
But just because the Sabres have Eichel, it does not mean they will have the same success they had in our timeline. Even when Eichel was in the lineup the Sabres were never able to make the playoffs. They never finished better than 6th in the Atlantic. Sure, they were successful in 2021-22, but that was largely because Eichel was not there. It allowed them to move Tage Thompson to center, where he thrived. They also would not have the production of Alex Tuch.
In this timeline, the Sabres would probably be stuck in sixth place for the next few seasons. While Eichel is a great player, he prevents other guys from reaching their potential. Plus, his $10 million cap hit in a flat cap prevents them from making any big moves. The Sabres would be stuck in purgatory, and Eichel's frustration with the team would likely grow. He would like demand a trade sometime around 2024 or leave when he became a free agent in 2025-26.
Essentially, keeping Eichel only delayed the inevitable. The Sabres would be in the same position they were when they traded Eichel, only this time it is a few years later. But what makes this worse is the idea they could lose him for nothing. If the Sabres are not able to move him and he walks in free agency, they will never get a player like Tuch who they could immediately build around or a solid depth piece like the recently re-signed Peyton Krebs. The future of the team would not be as bright as it is now.
Although it hurt to lose a player like Eichel, it has appeared to be a blessing in disguise. It has allowed the Sabres to build the roster that got them back to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
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