Jack Eichel draws fire from Buffalo Sabres fans

Some fans were concerned that Eichel, who already has neck problems, would injure himself during practice. Surgery was even considered, but the team has not made a decision to do so until now. The second overall pick has openly criticized the Buffalo Sabres organization saying that he would like to play elsewhere.

He had 18 points, including only two goals, in 21 games last season and missed the majority of the schedule due to the injury. The team finished last, which allowed them to win the National Hockey League draft lottery and the first pick in the amateur auction. Kevyn Adams set his sights on giant-sized Canadian defenseman Owen Power. In 2018, the club claimed Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin with the first overall pick of the amateur auction.

Despite all that, the club cleaned house in the offseason. On July 23, Kevyn Adams traded talented defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for young defenseman Robert Hagg, a first round pick in 2021 and a second round pick in 2022. With the Flyers' first round pick, the Sabres selected forward Chaz Lucius in the 14th round. The American forward was one of the top scorers available in the 2021 amateur auction.