Early Morning Hockey Thoughts

3 years ago  /  Kuklas Korner  /  Read Time: 1 minute 16 seconds

from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet,


- I know there’s a craving for Jack Eichel information. One longtime executive said this week “this is the most complicated situation I’ve seen” during his professional existence. (He’s not involved, but, obviously, everyone’s talking about it.) This is what I’m expecting over the next few days: Eichel comes to camp, but does not pass his physical and is not cleared to play. I also think there’s a very good chance Buffalo removes his captaincy. What I don’t know is if they’ve settled the medical path.

I heard there were some trade talks a couple of weeks ago, but I think people want to see what the doctors say. As you can expect, there is a ton of frustration. Eichel was hoping to be recovered from disc surgery by now, and, another player said not to underestimate what playing in the Olympics would mean to him. But the Sabres are unhappy too, with the promise of the “Eichel era” completely dissipated and hard feelings about how things fell apart. Really a shame for everyone involved.

- Some of the biggest free agency news this season might be in the executive offices. Two-time Stanley Cup champion Julien BriseBois and last year’s finalist, Marc Bergevin, are both unsigned for 2022-23. (St. Louis’s Doug Armstrong has a club option for next year.) Lightning owner Jeff Vinik told The Athletic’s Joe Smith there are “tremendous odds we’ll extend his contract.” Bergevin’s negotiations have been discussed for some time, with one of the biggest questions being his own desire to continue in that stressful seat. Since he signed his last contract, he’s been surpassed in the salary department by others who may not have his experience — or now, a conference championship. Does that now add another wrinkle?


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