Watch: Housley says Eichel could return this season

For the second straight season Jack Eichel will miss time because of a high-ankle sprain. Although a lot remains unclear, Buffalo Sabres head coach Phil Housley spoke with reporters about the injury and where the team goes from here.

I'm going to try and look at this with a glass half full approach. Here are some of my initial thoughts on the Eichel injury & where the #Sabres go from here @WKBW. My tie also looks stupid. For that I am sorry. pic.twitter.com/0uhjwlSwX0

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) February 11, 2018

"We'll know more as we move along and see how he progresses," Housley said on Sunday afternoon. "I think there is a possibility he could come back [this season]."

“From my perspective, he seemed a lot better than what it was last year, seeing him move around after," Eichel's rommate Sam Reinhart told WGR 550's Paul Hamilton. "So I think he’s still optimistic and if he treats himself right and he does the things that are asked of him, hopefully he can come back sooner."

When asked if the team has considered shelving Eichel until training camp, Housley said the team has other plans. 

"No, we've got a lot to prove this season still. We've got a lot of games at home left and we want to win these games, not only for our fans but to build on things. I think we've played pretty good on the road, now we've got to turn that around here at home."

Reinhart on Eichel, “From my perspective he seemed a lot better than what it was last year, seeing him move around after, so I think he’s still optimistic."

— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) February 11, 2018

“I saw him work day-by-day last year and I will say that seeing him move around last night, it seemed like a long time before he was able to do that last year," Reinhart told Hamilton. "So in my mind, that’s optimism and I know it’s in his mind as well, but at the same time, it’s an injury where you don’t want to force things and he knows that.”

The entire interview with Housley is attached in the video above. 

Question: Would it be better to tell Eichel see you in training camp?

Response from Housley: #Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/LOAhAK9GZC

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) February 11, 2018