Big Update On Jack Eichel's Health

According to Darren Dreger, Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel is conditioning and skating for the upcoming season. This is a big development. NHL teams interested in him may now be able to utilize him at the beginning of the season if things continue to progress well.

Lots of things percolating around the NHL. Way too early to call what direction the Sabres are going with Eichel. However, teams with interest are encouraged by the fact Jack is training hard and skating. Good sign of where he feels his health is at.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 23, 2021

Eichel is the biggest name available through trade. It is not very often that an elite center with term left on his contract is made available for the taking. He has five years left on his deal and it carries a $10 million cap hit. Since being drafted by the Sabres in 2015, the 24-year-old has 139 goals and 355 points in 375 games. This season was a hard one for him, though, as he would only be able to play in 21 games due to a herniated disc in his neck. He scored two goals and registered 18 total points in them.

Eichel is disgruntled in Buffalo, so a trade needs to ultimately happen at this juncture. Buffalo also should work quickly if they want to maximize the assets coming back, as he has a no-movement clause starting after next season. That would result in him having full control over where he gets traded to, which could be detrimental to the Sabres and their return.

Yet, with Eichel potentially getting healthier, there should be even more interest from the league.