Eichel was on the ice for Tuesday’s morning skate but the Sabres will hold him out for the third straight game. The Sabres want to be “cautious” with their star centre, leaving the door open for him to return during their Friday/Saturday back-to-back.
Eichel was listed as questionable for Monday’s game but ended up playing before leaving after just 2:42 TOI. The Sabres want to be cautious with their star centre, so they will scratch him on Thursday and re-evaluate him early next week.
Eichel missed Sunday’s practice and is questionable for Monday’s game against the Islanders. C.J. Smith was recalled this morning and will replace Eichel if he is unavailable.
Despite practicing on Tuesday and Wednesday, Eichel is not ready to return to the Sabres lineup on Thursday. Regardless, he is obviously getting close to a return to the lineup, so monitor his status heading into Saturday’s game vs. the Blackhawks.
Eichel is entering the final year of his entry-level contract, so this extension will kick in for the 2018-19 season and run through the 2025-26 campaign—he will be 29-years-old. Eichel is hoping for a better start to 2017-18 after last year got derailed by an injury before the first game. Upon his return to the Buffalo lineup, Eichel was 10th in the NHL in points and is pegged as one of the biggest breakout candidates coming into this season.
Eichel tweaked his ankle in last night’s loss in Washington, but he said he is fine and will play tonight vs. the Oikers. Eichel has played well in his first four games of the season, posting three goals and one assist. Expect a strong performance tonight as he goes head to head with Connor McDavid.
After missing the first 21 games of the season with an ankle injury, Eichel will play tonight vs. the Senators. Eichel had a strong rookie season, having picked up 24 goals and 32 assists (56 points) in 81 games and he will start his 2016-17 season on a line with Evander Kane and Sam Reinhart.
Eichel has not played in a game this season because of a preseason ankle injury, but he skated on the second line and on the top power-play at Monday’s practice. Head coach Dan Bylsma said it is possible for Eichel to make his debut tomorrow, so monitor his status during the morning skate.
Eichel had been skating on his own prior to Wednesday, but he joined the Sabres for his first practice session since getting injured a few days before the season started. Eichel won’t play tonight, but is only expected to miss 3-5 more games before making his season debut. This is massive news for the Sabres, who currently sit last in the NHL in goal scoring.
Eichel is nearly four weeks into a 6-8 week timetable, but his return to the ice on Thursday is a great sign that he is recovering on schedule. It appears as if Eichel is on-pace to return to the lineup in late November/early-December. Monitor Eichel’s progression over the next few weeks.
Eichel was hurt in Wednesday’s practice and the Sabres said it was a high ankle sprain but did not give a timetable for his return. On Thursday, Sabres’ GM Tim Murray said that 6-8 weeks could be a possible timetable for Eichel. The second-year forward can’t put any weight on his injured ankle, he was seen on Thursday using a scooter to get around.
Eichel suffered a high ankle sprain in Wednesday’s practice and will likely miss a minimum of 4-to-6 weeks. It could be much longer, but the Sabres have not released a timetable. Eichel’s injury means that Johan Larsson and Tyler Ennis will likely take on bigger roles.
Eichel’s leg bent backwards awkwardly and had to be helped off of the ice and appeared to be a serious amount of pain. All signs are pointing towards Eichel missing some time, but there likely won’t be an update until later today. Consider him doubtful for Thursday’s season opener.
Eichel missed Saturday’s game in Toronto will an illness, but it looks like he will return to the Sabres lineup on Tuesday. Monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate to be sure, but all signs are pointing towards him returning.
Selected second overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, Eichel joins the organization after a standout season at Boston University (NCAA-Hockey East) in which he became the second freshman – after Paul Kariya in 1993 – ever to earn the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey’s top player. Eichel led all NCAA players with 71 points (26G / 45A) in 40 games in 2014-15.
