Jack Eichel, the disgruntled 25-year-old star center whose desire to undergo surgery on a herniated disk in his neck was blocked by the Sabres on the advice of team doctors, was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.
Jack Eichel confirms he requested trade from Sabres in 2020
Jack Eichel heard the whispers.
When owners Terry and Kim Pegula fired 22 employees with the Buffalo Sabres’ hockey operations department in June 2020, there was talk that their new general manager, Kevyn Adams, was ready to orchestrate yet another rebuild.
Mike Harrington: The Eichel deal is done and the return is decent. Time to move on
SEATTLE – The deal is done. At this stage of the Buffalo Sabres' season, and in the history of the franchise, that's probably the most important point to make before we get into all the fan histrionics about the return.
Eichel, 25, exits the Sabres having experienced zero playoff games in six seasons since he was drafted second overall in 2015.
The denials of coach Don Granato notwithstanding, the looming Jack Eichel trade was becoming a growing distraction with every rumor that ESPN was putting out there.
The selection of the 18-year-old from Boston University with the No. 2 pick in the NHL draft was supposed to mark the end of the suffering, the key moment in a rebuild to bring the Sabres back to prominence. It didn't happen.
Buffalo hockey fans got one of their first looks at Eichel when he and Jim Johannson of USA Hockey held a news conference previewing a Prospects Game at the then-First Niagara Center in Buffalo in 2014.
By James P. McCoy/Buffalo News file photo
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel was playing for Team USA on Dec. 28, 2014 when he scored during the 2015 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship game against Team Germany at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
By Getty Images
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel's Boston University Terriers battled the Northeastern Huskies during the 2015 Beanpot Tournament Championship game at TD Garden on Feb. 23, 2015 in Boston.
By Getty Images
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel is tested during the NHL combine drills at the HarborCenter on June 6, 2015.
By Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News file photo
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel is put through his paces during the NHL combine drills at the HarborCenter.
By Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News file photo
Jack Eichel through the years
Connor McDavid, left, and Eichel were taken 1 and 2 in the 2015 draft. Here they were photographed in Chicago.
By Getty Images
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel took batting practice at Marlins Park in Miami prior to the draft.
By James P. McCoy/Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel watches McDavid get in some swings from the other side of the plate.
By James P. McCoy/Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel was selected with the second overall pick of the NHL Draft tonight at the BB & T Center in Sunrise, Fla.
By James P. McCoy/Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel already had his jersey number the night he was selcted.
By James P. McCoy/Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel celebrates after scoring his first goal during a game against the Ottawa Senators at the First Niagara Center on Oct. 8, 2015.
By Getty Images
Jack Eichel through the years
Fans welcomed Eichel home to Boston when the Sabres played the Bruins Dec. 26, 2015.
By The Boston Globe
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel makes his way to warmups prior to playing the Washington Capitals at the First Niagara Center on Dec. 28, 2015.
By Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel skates past Nate Thompson of the Anaheim Ducks during the third period of a game at Honda Center on Feb. 24.
By Getty Images
Jack Eichel through the years
McDavid and Eichel face off as professionals for the first time on March 1.
By Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel misses on a backhand in overtime against the Edmonton Oilers.
By Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during third period on March 3.
By Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Jack and his Team North America teammates celebrate his first period goal against Team Finland Sept. 18 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
By Getty Images
Jack Eichel through the years
Jack Eichel looks on from a suite as the Buffalo Sabres face the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.
Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel skates with the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at the KeyBank Center on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021.
Harry Scull Jr. /Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel wore the team's new "Reverse Retro" jersey in warmup prior to Thursday's game against New Jersey in KeyBank Center but was a late scratch with a lower-body injury.
Harry Scull Jr. /Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel moves down the ice.
Robert Kirkham / Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel looks for anything to come his way.
Robert Kirkham / Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (9) watches his teammates skate during warmups before the game against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. This is the first game back for the Sabres after postponing the last eight due to a Covid-19 outbreak among the team. (Derek Gee / Buffalo News)
Derek Gee / Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Jack Eichel scored two goals during an injury-plagued 2020-21 season.
Derek Gee / Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Jack Eichel during Buffalo Sabres practice at KeyBank Center on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021.
Robert Kirkham / Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Buffalo Sabres players Taylor Hall and Jack Eichel look on from the bench during an intrasquad scrimmage at the KeyBank Center on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Harry Scull Jr. /Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Buffalo Sabres players Victor Olofsson and Jack Eichel look on during the second period of an intrasquad scrimmage at the KeyBank Center on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Harry Scull Jr. /Buffalo News
Jack Eichel through the years
Buffalo Sabres Jack Eichel poses for a portrait for the special Sabres section at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015.
Sabres' depth, talent at forward strengthened by adding Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs
General Manager Kevyn Adams bided his time, fielded offers from teams across the National Hockey League and waited for someone to meet his asking price for injured, disgruntled center Jack Eichel.
The eight-month saga that saw Eichel stripped of his captaincy amid a disagreement with the Sabres over his preferred treatment for a herniated disk finally ended early Thursday morning with the 25-year-old center traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, who agreed to allow the three-time all-star to have the surgery he desires.
Eichel memories: A look back at the Buffalo career of Captain Jack after trade to Vegas Golden Knights
SEATTLE – It was an era that officially started on a June night in 2015 when then-General Manager Tim Murray walked to the microphone at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla., and simply intoned four words – "Buffalo selects Jack Eichel."
The selection of the 18-year-old from Boston University with the No. 2 pick in the NHL draft was supposed to mark the end of the suffering, the key moment in a rebuild to bring the Sabres back to prominence.
'Vegas Baby:' Jack Eichel exits Sabres in latest blockbuster move by GM Kevyn Adams
As Kevyn Adams spoke to reporters from his KeyBank Center office Thursday morning, the 25-year-old disgruntled superstar center he traded hours earlier broke his silence with a three-word tweet that signaled the end of an eight-months-long public feud with the Buffalo Sabres.
“Vegas Baby, Vegas,” Jack Eichel exclaimed to his 27,000 followers.