Report: Jack Eichel will not join the Sabres at training camp

Don't look now but the 2021-22 NHL season is just around the corner. 

We're into the final week of August and training camps will be starting up next month with the pre-season beginning in later in the month. It's hard to believe that almost an entire offseason has blown by and us as hockey fans are still waiting for a resolution in the broken relationship between the Buffalo Sabres and their captain Jack Eichel.

Eichel, of course, demanded a trade earlier this offseason claiming that he and the organization are at odds over a crucial neck vertebrae surgery that he requires before he can return to play. Eichel and his representation are seeking a somewhat experimental surgery that will replace his damaged discs, while the team is holding firm on its opinion that Eichel should opt for the more traditional disc fusion surgery. With the two sides digging their heels in over this matter it looks like Eichel won't be ready to begin the 2021-22 season with or without the Sabres. 

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that because there's a six week recovery period from the surgery, that Eichel won't be ready in time to join his team, whatever team that may be, when training camp opens in just four weeks time.

From Pagnotta:

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.

On July 30, Eichel’s agents Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli issued a statement voicing their discontent with the way the Sabres have handled their client’s situation.

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.

You can't help but wonder if/when Eichel may have already been traded were it not for this injury complicating matters. He's certainly an elite level talent with the ability to play top line minutes for any team in the NHL. Here's hoping this matter gets resolved before the season starts and it becomes an even bigger distraction for the Sabres.