K-9

Maybe Wolanin

Agree entirely; it’s a perfectly reasonable position for Jack to take. But Eichel’s reasonable position does not make the Sabres’ position unreasonable.

Or his 4th artificial disc replacement. Then again, after the first failure, I’m sure he’d settle for the more stable fusion surgery.

Agree entirely it is very complex. But the idea that Eichel’s healthcare is being “held hostage” by the Sabres is absurd. He has a choices, difficult though they may be. And If Eichel is being held hostage by the situation, then so are the Sabres.

Is Letang having flexibility issues? Doesn’t seem like it to me. But every case, every patient, every outcome is unique so comparables are difficult to quantify.

Sympathy is fine. Indeed, it’s required. I suspect everyone involved, including and maybe even especially the Sabres, have sympathy for Eichel’s situation. There are only losers in that regard. Just don’t try to tell me that Eichel doesn’t have a choice. It may be a most difficult choice, but he is free to make it any time he wishes. This “held hostage” view is over top rhetoric aimed at the need to make the Sabres the “bad guy” when there simply aren’t any. It’s absurd.

The perception by some that the owners are holding a player’s health hostage is as short-sighted as it gets with absolutely no regard for the complexity of the situation. Given that lack of ability to understand complexity, I’ll simplify it for those who hold the view that the owners are holding Eichel’s health hostage: Jack Eichel is free to get whatever treatment from whatever doctor for whatever ails him and that has always been the case. Full stop.

What do you mean, “not exact?” If the insurance company won’t cover it, they won’t cover it, just as many other insurance companies don’t cover cervical ADR, either. That’s as exact as it gets imo. As you point out, Eichel can get his preferred surgery any time he likes but I’m not sure he’s willing to suffer the legal ramifications to do so or else he would have done it a while ago.

Massachusetts wimps

I read in this forum that the insurance company will not cover the ADR. Sounds like they need even more convincing than the Sabres.

That was not a good look for him, especially in his role as team captain. I’ll cut him a little slack given the Covid situation, but only a little.

Also not out of the realm of possibility. Certainly in the area of unlikely though. It’s my understanding that given past prognoses, if significant re-absorption of the disc hasn’t occurred after that initial 12 week time frame, then surgery likely has to happen to fix it. But again, stranger things have happened. It would be a great outcome for sure.

Stranger things have certainly happened. And I give you credit for the unbridled optimism. But…

Well, ice hockey in the Olympics starts on February 9. If Eichel had the surgery RIGHT NOW, he’d be ready to resume playing on January 21, presumably. That leaves him 19 days before the Olympic competition starts. That’s the tightest of windows at this moment and it gets tighter each passing day. It would be nothing short of miraculous if he did that.

Spice up that tryout maybe?

Do you honestly feel Eichel wants to play here and prefers that to being “jettisoned?” Of all the ways to describe trading a player, “jettisoned” is the most emotional I’ve seen.

Maybe, but when I ask myself if I’d go by that, I say no given the nature of the injury and lack of history regarding outcomes for NHL players.

That statement was very telling, imo. And while I wasn’t driven into a frenzy by it, I took it as a big, “F you, Buffalo” and after supporting him and the team thru all the losing seasons and last place finishes he was a part of, it was clear he was finished here and had to go. And the fact he was disingenuous about the “disconnect” made that even clearer.

Hmm.

Fair point to be sure. Where does Eichel show he’s back and prove to potential trade partners he’s worth the price? I just can’t see that being on this team given the current circumstances.

^This! Barkley in that chair would be must see TV.

If he had the ADR procedure today that gets him back on the ice January 21st given the estimated three month recovery. Even that’s a tight window at best right now for getting to the Olympics. But the window for the fusion procedure has passed and the Olympics are out of the question so I’m not clear on where the Sabres’ leverage is regarding that issue. But the Sabres aren’t under any pressure regardless, so no leverage is required anyway. The only factor I can see that forces the issue from their standpoint is if Pegula grows tired of paying Eichel to do nothing.

Again, good luck with that. But it’s an interesting angle none the less. I’d be interested as well in previous establishment of acceptance of experimental medical practices in the league. As far as specific established practices regarding treatment of cervical disc issues in players, the only two I can find reference to are Letang and Dorsett. Both had the fusion. Both came back to play. Dorsett had to retire because of recurring issues with his neck while Letang is still playing at an All Star level. Outcomes are never certain.

Eichel will have to show he’s back to 100% at some point before he can be traded for a return commensurate with his status as an elite player, but I can’t see that showing being with the Sabres. Do NHL players do rehab stints in the minors like baseball players? If so, and thinking Jack won’t be doing that in Rochester either, can he be loaned to another NHL team’s AHL affiliate for that stretch of games? If so, might an interested trade partner see that as preferable before pulling the trigger on a deal for Eichel?

I’d bet sliding Girgs to center ends up being the case.