'When Eichel’s wish to have surgery as soon as possible was vetoed and another season without playoff hockey in Buffalo ended, he broke his silence. His words during a 24-minute video conference call with reporters Monday will have implications that could determine the course of a franchise that finished at the bottom of the NHL in four of the past eight years.' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel: There’s a ‘disconnect’ with Sabres about recovery from injury
Archives for May 11, 2021
Mike Harrington: Jack Eichel's bombshell turns up the heat on Sabres GM Kevyn Adams
'There are bad days for a franchise and then there is what Monday was for the Sabres. It wasn't July 1, 2007 – at least not yet – but it was along the lines of Ryan O'Reilly losing-his-love-for-the-game bad.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Jack Eichel’s bombshell turns up the heat on Sabres GM Kevyn Adams
Sabres futures uncertain for Reinhart, McCabe, Ullmark, Ristolainen
'After a wave of promising young talent finally reached Buffalo at the tail-end of a 10th consecutive season outside the playoffs, General Manager Kevyn Adams is faced with the challenge of signing Ullmark and McCabe, both pending unrestricted free agents, before they reach the open market July 28.' … [Read more...] about Sabres futures uncertain for Reinhart, McCabe, Ullmark, Ristolainen
Goalie Dustin Tokarski is Sabres' nominee for Masterton Award
'Tokarski went 2-8-2, 3.54/.904 for the Sabres this year in 13 games but became the club's No. 1 goaltender for a spell due to injuries to both Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark. On April 13 in Washington, he earned his first NHL victory since December 12, 2015, when he was with Montreal.' … [Read more...] about Goalie Dustin Tokarski is Sabres’ nominee for Masterton Award
Alan Pergament: Rick Jeanneret suggests his future is up to Sabres; Buffalo Bills primed to get some night games
'Jeanneret and Mark Preisler, the executive vice president of Pegula and Sports Entertainment, said last week they planned to talk about next season sometime after the season ended.' … [Read more...] about Alan Pergament: Rick Jeanneret suggests his future is up to Sabres; Buffalo Bills primed to get some night games
Sabres captain Jack Eichel’s strong words will increase trade speculation
'Eichel, 24, clearly wants to have surgery. He said because he’s under contract with the Sabres, he doesn’t have the final say.' … [Read more...] about Sabres captain Jack Eichel’s strong words will increase trade speculation
Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen open to being traded or staying in Buffalo
'“Like I told Kevyn a little while ago, I just said, ‘I’m open for all the ideas,’” Ristolainen said on a Zoom call Monday as the Sabres held end-of-season meetings inside KeyBank Center. “Right now, it’s hard, obviously, because the season just ended. Yeah, I’m frustrated. I’m (ticked) and it (stinks). So I told him I’m open to all the scenarios, staying or if he trades me, … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen open to being traded or staying in Buffalo
Traikos: 'Frustrated' Eichel finally reaches breaking point with Sabres
'How many coaches has he burned through already? How many general managers have tried to fix this team and ended up making it worse? How many players have come to Buffalo and become worse? And then left and had their careers resurrected?' … [Read more...] about Traikos: ‘Frustrated’ Eichel finally reaches breaking point with Sabres
Eau Claire native McCabe says rehab going well heading into free agency
'"It's been quite an interesting 12 to 14 months for everyone really, but myself especially," McCabe said. "I had COVID and then just a few games after that the injury occurred. It sucked. I kind of gave myself that night to kind of have tough conversations with my mom, wife, dad. After that I kind of just told myself being sad and mad about this isn't really going to make … [Read more...] about Eau Claire native McCabe says rehab going well heading into free agency
Jack Eichel sounds miserable with Sabres after injury ‘disconnect’
'Eichel is under contract with the Sabres through 2026, after signing an eight-year, $80 million extension in 2020. A no-trade clause kicks in during the 2022 offseason.' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel sounds miserable with Sabres after injury ‘disconnect’
Garrioch: There's no need for the Ottawa Senators to go down the road to acquire Jack Eichel
'When you look around the NHL there aren’t many teams that have the ability to make that kind of deal. The executive believes the New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings and, yes, the Senators would be in the group of teams that could offer up the Sabres what they’ll want in return.' … [Read more...] about Garrioch: There’s no need for the Ottawa Senators to go down the road to acquire Jack Eichel
Debate over surgery has Eichel questioning future in Buffalo
'“For now, obviously, I’m here, I’m the captain of this hockey team,” he added. “My goal is to be available and to try to help the guys in the room and help this organization win hockey games. And I’ll continue to do that as long as I’m here.”' … [Read more...] about Debate over surgery has Eichel questioning future in Buffalo
Jack Eichel says there is 'disconnect' with Buffalo Sabres over how neck injury was handled
'Eichel said he struggled with a handful of injuries this season, from a cracked rib suffered in training camp to an abdominal injury from last year that still bothered him. But it was the way the Sabres handled his neck injury that caused the schism between the team and its franchise player. When asked why he didn't simply get the surgery or treatment he felt he needed, Eichel … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel says there is ‘disconnect’ with Buffalo Sabres over how neck injury was handled
Sabres star Jack Eichel 'a bit upset' over how team handled neck injury, hints at uncertain future in Buffalo
'Adding drama to the "wherever that might be" quote above, Eichel also said that for now he realizes he's with Buffalo, but didn't write off the idea that things could change.' … [Read more...] about Sabres star Jack Eichel ‘a bit upset’ over how team handled neck injury, hints at uncertain future in Buffalo
Why the time for the Sabres to trade Jack Eichel is now
'Weaker clubs like the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets have glaring holes up the middle plus the type of salary cap space to accommodate Eichel’s $10-million AAV. Perhaps Rob Blake, patient thus far, will be inspired to fast-track his L.A. Kings rebuild while Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar are still difference-makers.' … [Read more...] about Why the time for the Sabres to trade Jack Eichel is now