Sabres GM says Eichel is 'untouchable' as of today
It appears that Jack Eichel will not be wearing the Buffalo Sabres' uniform next season. However, NHL GMs who may be attempting to reach an agreement seem to be concerned.
This week, TSN hockey analyst Frank Seravalli spoke with WGR 550 Radio in Buffalo about what's going on with Eichel.
"Clearly with Jack Eichel sitting out and missing the remainder of the season and not hearing any news on that front, in terms of where his injury was progressing, I think some people had an inkling that something was up," said Seravalli. "I think what's fascinating is the ramifications. We can go back-and-forth on the he said-he said, in terms of what is going on behind the scenes and Jack Eichel's camp requesting to have, what turns out the be, an experimental surgery and the Sabres resisting that. If we're being honest, I think Eichel's camp has actually engaged the NHL [Players' Association], in terms of what a potential grievance might look like, and their own doctors have refused the case, and I believe would even side with the Sabres."
"In talking to people around the league yesterday, I had a NHL general manager who is potentially interested in trading for Jack Eichel say at the moment he's untradeable," Seravalli said. "So you've got a guy that's unhealthy, unhappy, and now potentially untradeable. It's a pretty ugly triumvirate for the Sabres and the worst-case scenario, I would imagine."
"I still think even at this very moment there's teams that would be willing to take a risk, provided that they review the medical records, to trade for a superstar like Jack Eichel. But when Kevyn Adams says to you yesterday that his goal and what's most paramount is Jack Eichel's health, that's a big reason why, because it's going to play a big factor in terms of trading Jack Eichel. Until there's clarity there, that's going to be a lot harder to do, and it's going to reduce the return."
I'm not sure there's anyone who would disagree that the relationship between Eichel and the Sabres needs to end. However, the concerns are valid. If Eichel is unhappy that he can't have surgery, it's unlikely a change of scenery will lead to surgery, so he remains unhappy. Are GMs really going to take a chance on that given what Eichel will cost their organization?
Source: WGR 550
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Would you trade your top player for Jack Eichel? | ||
| Yes | 80 | 46.5 % |
| No | 92 | 53.5 % |
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