Report: Sabres, Eichel 'hopeful' trade will materialize soon

Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Sabres, Jack Eichel 'hopeful' trade will materialize soon

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 10/6/21

After months of tension and drama, star forward Jack Eichel is still at odds with the Buffalo Sabres. Could recent developments finally lead to a trade?

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, other clubs are beginning to show interest in the former second-overall draft pick, who has been sidelined for six months with a herniated disk in his neck.

Sources say the Eichel saga may be shifting. Ongoing discussions and additional access to Jack Eichel’s medical file has helped teams with trade interest clearly see his situation. Both sides are hopeful something can be worked out soon with one of the clubs in the mix.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 6, 2021

As Bleacher Report's Mike Chiari points out, the Sabres aren't obligated to trade Eichel since he is under contract through the 2025-26 season. That said, it doesn't seem likely the Sabres would keep the 24-year-old given the distraction it would be for players and the coaching staff.

Eichel was stripped of the captaincy last month after failing his pre-training camp physical due to his ongoing neck injury. Eichel and the Sabres also publicly have been at odds over which procedure he should get to fix the neck injury, and the team has made it difficult for other clubs to inquire about trading for him.

The back-and-forth regarding Eichel's health has fueled many recent conversations in the hockey committee, even leading to a very intense and bizarre rant from former teammate Robin Lehner.

Off-ice drama aside, a change of scenery could greatly improve Eichel's on-ice production. The center has been stymied through his young career by being on an underdeveloped Sabres team that has been one of the worst in the league since before Eichel was drafted. Given Eichel's caliber of play, Buffalo could potentially get a good deal for trading him and set the foundation for a proper rebuild.

Now it's just up to the right team to come along and give Eichel a new home.

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