Jack Eichel expected to report to Buffalo next week

Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel will reportedly join the team next Wednesday when they take their physicals before the opening of training camp.

"Yes, Jack Eichel will be reporting for #Sabres physicals on Wednesday," said John Wawrow of the Associated Press. "Note that by reporting for his physical, Eichel limits the #Sabres to placing him on IR, should he fail the physical, while still drawing on his salary since the injury was hockey related."

Given that Eichel has been dealing with a herniated disk in his neck, which caused him to miss the majority of the 2020-21 season and led to a rift with the Sabres over a surgery/recovery plan, he might not pass his physical and could be placed on injured reserve. Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams will have to continue trying to move Eichel and may have to drop his asking price in order to get a trade done.

The Sabres have been exploring the possibility of moving their captain ever since Eichel was not happy that the team would not allow him to have artificial disc replacement surgery on his neck because it has never been preformed before on any NHL player.

Eichel, 24, appeared in 21 games last season for Buffalo where he tallied 18 points (2 G, 16 A). The North Chelmsford, Massachusetts native is entering the fourth year of an eight-year contract he signed back in 2017. Following this season, he'll have a no-movement clause in effect for the remaining four years of his deal which would limit the Sabres' ability to move him, hence why there will be a level of urgency to get something done in the next couple of weeks.

Note that by reporting for his physical, Eichel limits the #Sabres to placing him on IR, should he fail the physical, while still drawing on his salary since the injury was hockey related.— John Wawrow (@john_wawrow) September 19, 2021

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