Additional access to Jack Eichel's medical file has once again sparked trade negotiations surrounding the Buffalo Sabres superstar, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.
Sources say the Eichel saga may be shifting. Ongoing discussions and additional access to Jack Eichel’s medical file has helped teams with trade interest clearly see his situation. Both sides are hopeful something can be worked out soon with one of the clubs in the mix.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 6, 2021
There haven't been any rumors about a prospective Eichel blockbuster since his former agents said in July they were anticipating a trade "in the near future." Eichel changed agents a month later, hiring CAA's Pat Brisson.
The lack of clarity regarding Eichel's health likely played a role in the stalled negotiations over the summer. The 24-year-old failed his training camp physical and was stripped of his captaincy in the process.
The rift between the player and organization stems from a differing opinion on how to repair the herniated disc in his neck that sidelined him for the second half of last season. The Sabres want him to undergo a fusion surgery, while Eichel wants to have an artificial disc replacement procedure. The team has denied Eichel's preferred method. It's a relatively new surgery that hasn't been performed on an NHL player before.
The Minnesota Wild were one of the known teams to have initial talks with the Sabres about the star center in June, but the team's cap situation has changed drastically in that time. Eichel carries a $10-million average annual value through 2025-26.
Eichel is coming off an injury-plagued 2020-21 campaign. However, in the prior two seasons, he recorded 160 points over 145 games - good for 12th in the NHL and fifth among centers over that span.
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