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Jack Eichel comments on rumors surrounding extension

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 13, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (15) during the game against the Los Angeles Kings at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (15) during the game against the Los Angeles Kings at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jack Eichel has clarified a few things following a report he won’t sign an extension with the Buffalo Sabres unless Dan Bylsma is fired.

The Buffalo Sabres tanked during the 2014-15 NHL season to ensure they’d get a franchise building block. While they lost out on Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel seems to be one heck of a consolation prize. Despite missing most of the first two months of the season with an ankle injury, he set a career high with 57 points in 61 games. Eichel is eligible to sign an extension beginning on July 1, but his willingness to sign an extension was recently questioned. Since then, he has clarified a few things.

“I want to be here for a long time,” said Eichel, via Buffalo News. “That’s the way I look at it. I don’t want to go anywhere else … I just want all the people there to know that.”

Eichel has every right to be frustrated over having to answer these questions. He’s dealt with questions about his relationship with head coach Dan Bylsma for a good part of the season. Eichel’s brutal honesty is a bit refreshing, as you rarely see it in athletes. The fact he did the interview with the same news organization responsible for starting the rumors about his future with the Sabres shows impressive maturity.

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While Eichel is definitely a part of the Sabres’ future, he hates losing more than anything. One has to wonder how much more he can tolerate. Expect the Sabres to have to answer a lot of questions for Eichel before he signs an extension. And rightfully so, as he, like all athletes, wants to win more than anything. One of those questions will probably involve Bylsma. It would be negligent of Eichel to not demand answers from the Sabres’ front office before committing his best years (and then some) to the team.

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