Jack Eichel rumors: Sabres must fire Dan Bylsma to retain star

According to the Buffalo News, Jack Eichel won’t sign an extension with the Buffalo Sabres unless Dan Bylsma is fired. His agent, however, denies the claim.

Things aren’t going so well in Buffalo. The Buffalo Sabres tanked during the 2014-15 season in hopes of netting either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel. While they didn’t get the number one pick, they did get the latter with the second-overall pick, resulting in Eichel. Head coach Dan Bylsma and Eichel haven’t had the best of relationships.

According to Paul Hamilton of the Buffalo News, it’s gotten so bad, he’s not going to sign an extension if his coach isn’t fired.

"Inside sources have told me that Eichel has no desire to sign a contract extension this summer if Bylsma remains the coach."

The second overall pick is eligible to sign an extension starting on July 1. He has one year remaining on his entry level contract before he becomes a restricted free agent. The NHL’s CBA doesn’t give him much leverage. Eichel could demand a trade, but the Sabres have no reason to fulfill the request. And outside of playing overseas, he wouldn’t have many realistic options if he doesn’t want to play in Buffalo.

However, according to his agent, Eichel is open to an extension regardless.

This situation is getting very weird. Clearly, Eichel is a guy who wants to win. He has taken a lot of his team’s failures personally. Eichel’s been very outspoken, especially for such a young player. However, his brutal honesty is what the Sabres need to listen to. Eichel hates losing more than anything.

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That said, he’s a player and not the general manager. Actual general manager Tim Murray must remember this moving forward. It doesn’t matter how good Eichel is, he can’t let that influence any decision he makes. Otherwise, the Sabres would become a perfect example of what happens when the inmates get to run the asylum.