Jack Eichel injury: Star leaves game and Sabres bad season gets worse
Sabres star forward Jack Eichel leaves the game in the first period and does not return with an apparent knee injury.
Midway through the first period of Saturday’s game in Boston, Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel got tripped behind the net by defenseman Matt Grzelcyk. After Eichel tripped, he awkwardly rolled over on his right leg.
The good news is that Eichel was able to get himself off of the ice under his own power. Shortly after the injury, the Sabres announced that Eichel was not going to return to the game.
Injury update: Jack Eichel will not return tonight.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 11, 2018
Eichel has been the only consistent player for the Sabres this season, most of the line up has failed to produce much offense. Eichel has collected 53 points in 54 games which leads the team. This was also the first year that Eichel was elected to represent the Sabres in the All-Star game.
Hope Eichel is okay, this didn’t look good pic.twitter.com/sTkAmK7pnb
— Marina Maher (@marinakmaher) February 11, 2018
The Sabres’ season has been very underwhelming so far. Buffalo sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with almost no chance of the playoffs. With the loss of Eichel, the Sabres will lose speed, creativity and power play threat. The Sabres will be relying heavily on Ryan O’ Reilly, Evander Kane and Samson Reinhart to carry the offense while Eichel is out.
This injury will not have a major impact on GM Jason Botterill’s trade deadline plans. Eichel was not getting traded anywhere and the Sabres were not in the market to add pieces for a playoff push.
This is not the first time Jack Eichel has picked up an injury. Last season Eichel missed the first twenty-one games of the season. He was able to bounce back well recording 57 points in 61 games. The City of Buffalo will be hoping the injury is not as severe as last season’s and Eichel can return sooner than later.
There has been no official statement about Eichel’s status long term. Sabres fans will be on edge waiting for more news updates. The Sabres were able to rally and beat the Bruins 4-2 Saturday. Buffalo’s next game is Sunday in Buffalo against the Colorado Avalanche