Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula has made it very clear that he wants to get a long-term deal done with superstar forward Jack Eichel. On Wednesday, Pegula was asked if he had any concerns that a long term deal wouldn't get done before the season.
"I don’t want to discuss any negotiations with Jack publicly," Pegula said. "But, I can tell you this: we want Jack and Jack wants to be in Buffalo. That’s all I can say about that."
Peter Donatelli, Eichel's agent, echoed those comments when discussing current negotiations between his client and the Sabres organization.
"[We're having] intense, in-depth discussions," Donatelli said on Wednesday. "[We're] working through issues, trying to close in on an agreement."
Eichel, selected with the second overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, has tallied an impressive 113 points (48G, 65A) in 142 career games. Last year, despite missing the Sabres first 21 games of the season, Eichel surpassed his point total from his rookie season, averaging nearly a point per game (57 points in 61 games).
"For a long-term deal, there is nothing out of the ordinary happening," Donatelli added.
Pegula added that he hasn't spoken with Eichel personally in "a while", but according to Eichel's camp, the two sides have continued to work towards a new deal.
Eichel, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, is set to make a base salary of $832,500 (before bonuses). After this season, Eichel will become a restricted free agent.
