Training camps begin next month, followed by the pre-season later in the month. It's hard to believe that almost a whole offseason has passed with no resolution to the Buffalo Sabres' fractured relationship with captain Jack Eichel.
Eichel, of course, wanted a trade earlier this summer, citing a disagreement with the team over a necessary neck vertebrae surgery. Eichel and his agent want an experimental surgery to replace his damaged discs, while the team believes Eichel should go for the more typical disc fusion surgery. With both sides stuck on this issue, it appears Eichel won't be ready to go in 2021-22, with or without the Sabres.
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Eichel won't be ready to join his club, whichever that may be, when training camp begins in four weeks.
''Multiple sources have confirmed that Eichel has still not undergone surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck, and it's looking likely that he will not be medically cleared and available for the start of the regular-season – regardless of what team he's on.''
In that statement, Eichel's agents «fully anticipated a trade by the start of the NHL free agency period» on July 28, and sources have told me the 24-year-old has not waivered from his stance on proceeding with Artificial Disc Replacement surgery.
''Now, it looks like a move may not occur until closer to the start of training camp in roughly four weeks. If you're Eichel and his agents, that's yet another ‘optimistic' timeframe you're holding on to.''
