Jack Eichel talks about his time with the Sabres before his first game back in Buffalo
When the Vegas Golden Knights take to the ice against the Sabres on Thursday in Buffalo, it will mark the first time that franchise center Jack Eichel will face off against his former team. The unrest between the Sabres' organization and Eichel was well documented during their highly publicized rift over Eichel's neck injury.
After Eichel had suffered an injury to his neck last season, the Sabres were pushing for Eichel to receive a surgical procedure that had a lengthy history of successful recovery, while Eichel and his camp were pushing for a more experimental procedure called an artificial disc replacement.
The main concern that the Sabres had with Eichel's preferred surgery was that there were no documented cases of any NHL player having returned to action from such a procedure. The understanding there was that the Sabres were trying to protect their investment, while Eichel wanted to have a say in what type of surgical procedure he would undergo, since it was his body.
Even with all of the animosity that was there prior to Eichel being dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights for a haul, including winger Alex Tuch, prospect Peyton Krebs, a 1st round pick and a second round pick, the former 2nd overall pick in 2015 says there is no ill will.
«No bitterness, none whatsoever. I had a phenomenal time here in Buffalo, living out a childhood dream playing my first NHL game. The city, the organization was great to me and my family. There's no bitterness whatsoever.»
-Eichel on his time in Buffalo, ahead of Thursday's return to KeyBank Center in Buffalo
-Eichel on his time in Buffalo, ahead of Thursday's return to KeyBank Center in Buffalo
Eichel returned to action last month after more than 3 months on the shelf. Through his first 10 games as a member of the Golden Knights, Eichel has registered 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points.
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