Sabres end 8-month stalemate by trading Eichel to Golden Knights
BUFFALO, N.Y. >> Jack Eichel lost nearly an entire season of his NHL career due to a stalemate over how to treat a neck injury. The deposed and now former Buffalo Sabres captain has finally gained some clarity — and control — over his future.
It took eight months, but Eichel can finally start thinking about playing again.
The bitter, public feud between the Sabres’ franchise player and team over how to treat the injury finally reached a resolution Thursday when Buffalo traded the 25-year-old Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Eichel received his longstanding wish to leave Buffalo, where he’s only known losing, and join a Golden Knights franchise that’s known mostly success during its four seasons of existence.
More importantly, Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon made clear he will allow Eichel to have his preferred choice of surgery by having his herniated disk artificially replaced, which is something the Sabres denied because the procedure had never been performed on an NHL player.
Golf WOLFF BUILDS EARLY LEAD AND TIES CAREER-BEST 61 AT MAYAKOBA >>
Matthew Wolff arrived at Mayakoba and quickly realized El Camaleon might not be a good course for what he calls his “rip dog” length. Then again, he’s playing so well it doesn’t matter.
Wolff hit only one driver, followed his script of keeping the ball in play and ripped off a 10-under 61 to match his career low on the PGA Tour. It gave him a two-shot lead among early
starters in the World Wide Technology Championship.
Aaron Wise had the better start, reaching 8 under through 10 holes. No one started better than Chris Kirk, who opened with a 6-iron on the par-3 10th that he couldn’t find until realizing it was in the cup for a hole-in-one.
Wolff kept it steady from start to finish, such a thoroughly efficient round that only later did he realize he had the course record at the resort along the Gulf of Mexico.
NFL HERBERT LISTED AS FULL PARTICIPANT DURING CHARGERS' PRACTICE >>
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was a full participant in practice Thursday after being limited due to a right hand injury.
Herbert banged his throwing hand on the helmet of a New England Patriots player during the final drive in last Sunday’s 27-24 loss. He goes into
Sunday’s game at Philadelphia fourth in the AFC with 16 touchdown passes, but the Chargers have dropped their last two games. TAYLOR TO START AT QB FOR TEXANS AGAINST DOLPHINS ON SUNDAY >> Last season Tyrod Taylor started one game for the Los Angeles Chargers before being sidelined when a team doctor accidentally punctured his lung when giving a painkilling injection for a rib injury.
By the time he recovered he’d lost his job to Justin Herbert, who became the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
After being injured again this season with the Texans and having rookie Davis Mills take over for him for the past six games, some wondered if Taylor would suffer the same fate in Houston.
NBA FIRM WILL PROBE SUNS AFTER REPORT OF RACISM, MISOGYNY >>
The NBA has asked a law firm to investigate the Phoenix Suns after
a published report on Thursday detailed allegations that owner Robert Sarver has a history of racist, misogynistic and hostile incidents during his 17-year tenure in charge of the franchise.
ESPN said it talked to dozens of current and former team employees for the story, including some who detailed inappropriate behavior by Sarver. Most of the allegations are from anonymous sources but a few are on the record.
Tennis
DJOKOVIC AND ZVEREV ADVANCES TO PARIS MASTERS QUARTERFINALS >> Novak Djokovic advanced to the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters without playing a point because Gael Monfils pulled out injured.
Fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev advanced to the last eight after beating No. 16 Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 6-3 in an intense contest lasting 2 hours, 45 minutes and where Dimitrov saved two match points in the second set.