This post is part of Sabres Day on PHT…
The Associated Press reports that the Buffalo Sabres are discussing a possible eight-year contract extension with budding star Jack Eichel.
Eichel, 20, is currently in the final season of his entry-level deal, so he can sign an extension at any point he pleases. To little surprise, Sabres owner Terry Pegula played coy about the specifics of the negotiations, but wasn’t shy about acknowledging mutual interest in keeping Eichel.
Pegula: "I can tell you this, We want Jack and Jack wants to be in Buffalo." https://t.co/DypeN8DEZH
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) August 2, 2017
Believe it or not, this report didn’t surface because it’s Sabres day here. PHT’s Joey Alfieri did break down what an Eichel contract might look like, so check that out in this post.
Signing an extension for the maximum length of time is quite the statement from Eichel, although there’s at least some sentiment that this shouldn’t be surprising.
One point from vaca: The whole world knows Sabres/Eichel will sign 8 years at some point. Guess we need to re-establish what big "news" is.
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) August 2, 2017
Either way, the new-look Sabres would likely be ecstatic to lock up their most important player long-term sooner rather than later, so we’ll see how these talks progress.