Sabres fans are holding their collective breath in the wake of what could be a serious injury to star sophomore Jack Eichel.
At Wednesday morning’s practice -- ahead of Thursday’s season-opener against Montreal -- Eichel rolled back on what appeared to be his left ankle, screamed out in pain and was helped off the ice.
VIDEO: Jack Eichel goes down at #Sabres practice, has to be helped off the ice. Looks like left ankle. pic.twitter.com/ntUj3asIGE
— TOM MARTIN (@LetItFlyTom) October 12, 2016
The reaction from those in attendance:
Eichel yelled and that was about the last sound we heard in here for a good five minutes.
— TOM MARTIN (@LetItFlyTom) October 12, 2016
Stunned silence in Sabres' arena as practice came to halt. Entire team circled Eichel on way to hallway. Team slowly getting back to work.
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) October 12, 2016
Losing Eichel for any length of time would be a huge void to fill. As a rookie, he led the team with 24 goals last season and finished second in points, with 56.
As for tomorrow’s game against the Habs -- the Sabres were already potentially down the services big free agent signing Kyle Okposo (knee), and could now be without Eichel as well.
Update: Per head coach Dan Bylsma, Eichel did indeed suffer an ankle injury and will be evaluated this afternoon.