Insider reveals what will happen if Eichel isn't traded before the beginning of the season
Team insider John Vogl for The Athletic answered the following question: What happens this fall if Eichel is still not traded?
This is how Vogl puts it: «First, let's start with the assumption Eichel will not get traded in the next two weeks and reports to training camp. The opening day features physicals. Eichel will fail the physical because of the herniated disk in his neck.
«A player who finishes an NHL Season on the Injured Reserve List and continues to be disabled and unable to perform his duties as a hockey Player by reason of the same injury at the time he reports to the Club's Training Camp in the next League Year will again be eligible to be placed on the Club's Injured Reserve List.»
«So, in theory, the Sabres could place Eichel back on IR and let him return home to Boston until a trade is finalized. Given the contentiousness between the parties, that's the cleanest option.»
Vogl claims things might turn ugly as the Sabres are known for not helping players who fail physicals:
«In 2007, the Sabres suspended Teppo Numminen without pay when he failed his physical because he needed heart surgery. In 1997, the Sabres refused to let Pat LaFontaine attend training camp because team doctors wouldn't clear him because of concussions, though the captain had other doctors saying he was good to play.»
«Let's say Eichel doesn't report. According to Article 15.13 of the CBA: «For each day a Player does not report during Training Camp without his Club's permission, his pay shall be reduced by 1/275th of his annual Paragraph 1 NHL Salary.»
«With a salary of $10 million this season, 1/275th of Eichel's pay is $36,363.64. He'd forfeit it for every day he was absent without permission.»
