Newly-signed Eichel plans to transform Sabres
BUFFALO, New York — Jack Eichel joined his Buffalo Sabres teammates in forming a circle around centre ice to begin a pre-practice stretching routine Wednesday, when he suddenly felt Jason Pominville give him a nudge.
It was the veteran forward’s polite way of congratulating Eichel a day after agreeing to an eight-year, $80-million US contract extension. It was also Pominville’s way of inviting the team’s 20-year-old franchise star to take his rightful place at centre to lead the session.
“I was maybe not embarrassed by it all, but just staying humble,” Eichel said, noting he was honoured by the gesture.
“It shows how much they care about me and that they were happy for me,” he said. “It means a lot.”
A day before Buffalo opens the season hosting Montreal, Eichel was the centre of attention after signing the most expensive contract in franchise history. And he’s eager to start paying back the faith and longterm commitment the team provided by locking him up through the 2025-26 season.
“It does motivate me to be the best player I can be and bring a winning team to this city,” Eichel said. “It’s really exciting times, and it’s an organization that has belief in me. And I’m looking forward to achieving it.”
That’s what the Sabres are counting on in rewarding Eichel with a contract that’s tied with Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar as the 10th-richest contract in NHL history.
“One of the big reasons why I took this job in the spring was the excitement of being able to work with a young superstar like Jack Eichel,” said general manager Jason Botterill, who took over in May after Tim Murray was fired.
The contract extension doesn’t kick in until next season once Eichel completes his three-year, entry-level contract he signed after being selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft — a spot behind Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid.