As Buffalo Sabres training camp rapidly approaches most fans want to know, what's going on with Jack Eichel's contract? Over the past few months, there have been dozens of reports about the topic and on Tuesday Eichel addressed his future in Buffalo after a voluntary team skate at HARBORCENTER.
"I have no problem playing the year out," Eichel told WGR 550's Paul Hamilton on Tuesday morning. "I'm adamant about staying a Sabre, I want to bring some new excitement to this town and the contract thing will take care of itself."
Both Eichel and his representatives have said several times that the long term goal is to eventually sign an extension with the Sabres.
"I look at myself to be one of the leaders on this team and a guy that's going to push this organization to the next level," Eichel told Hamilton. "So I've got to be a guy that everybody leans on and I've got to be better on and off the ice."
Eichel, 20, is heading into his third season with the Sabres. Last year, Eichel finished the year with 57 points in 61 games. Entering the final year of his entry-level contract, Eichel is set to become a restricted free agent after the upcoming season. As a restricted free agent, Buffalo will still own Eichel's rights and can match any offer the 2015 first round draft pick receives.
"Every year you try to become a little bit more mature and you try to handle your business a little bit better whether that's your day to day at the rink or how I handle you guys," Eichel added. "It's all new and it's only my third year, so I just want to keep getting better at everything."
Audio with Jack Eichel. https://t.co/94OCaCk6fv
— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) September 5, 2017
