Report: Jack Eichel’s agents expect trade from Sabres to happen ‘in the near future’

That doesn’t mean a trade is imminent. Friedman reported over the weekend that teams interested in acquiring the 24-year-old center are waiting for Adams to lower his asking price. Eichel watch was in full force ahead of the draft’s first round Friday night because the Sabres were interested in acquiring a top 10 pick in a deal involving the face of the franchise.

However, a trade did not materialize during draft weekend, raising questions about how much longer Eichel will be part of the Sabres. Though Adams insisted he’s not working on a deadline, some suitors may bow out of the Eichel sweepstakes if a deal isn’t done by the beginning of free agency Wednesday. After all, teams may choose to use that cap space on a free-agent center such as Phillip Danault of the Montreal Canadiens. The center market in free agency isn’t deep, though, and not even Danault or David Krejci of the Boston Bruins have Eichel’s gifts.

Eichel, who was drafted second overall by Buffalo in 2015, scored a career-high 36 goals in 2019-20, a season in which he had a 17-game point streak and became a legitimate Hart Trophy candidate. Across six seasons in Buffalo, Eichel has totaled 139 goals and 355 points in 375 games.

However, there is the issue of Eichel’s desire to undergo surgery on the herniated disk in his neck. Eichel reportedly wants a disk replacement, a specific procedure that has not been done on an NHL player. The Sabres’ doctors won’t approve. Eichel won’t change his mind. The disagreement led Eichel to question his future in Buffalo and appears to have permanently fractured the relationship with the Sabres.