The Buffalo forward will earn an average $10 million per year for 8 years.
By Chris Ryndak / Sabres.com
BUFFALO, N.Y. — We are one day away from the beginning of the 2017-18 season and you’ve probably heard the big news by now. Jack Eichel has agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $10 million. That’ll keep him in a Sabres uniform for nine more seasons.
Here’s what you need to know.
Eichel led the Sabres with 57 points (24+33) in 61 games during the 2016-17 season, also finishing 11th in the NHL with 0.93 points per game and leading the league with 4.1 shots per game. That’s pretty good.
In leading the Sabres in points, Eichel became just the fourth player in franchise history to lead the team in points before turning 21, joining Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Pierre Turgeon (his 21st birthday is on Oct. 28). Pretty, pretty good.
Since entering the NHL in 2015-16, Eichel ranks second among Sabres players with 113 points (48+65) in 142 career games. In his career, the Sabres are 41-21-6 when he records a point and 22-5-1 when he records at least two points in a game. That’s actually really good.
Stick with us throughout the day for news on the Eichel extension, his and the front office’s reactions, and anything else that may come up. That’s what we’re here for.
Sabres acquire Redmond
The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday announced the team has acquired defenseman Zach Redmond from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Nicolas Deslauriers. Redmond will report to the Rochester Americans.
Redmond (29, 6-foot-2, 212 lbs.) split time between Montreal and the St. John’s IceCaps in his first season with the Canadiens organization in 2016-17, posting five assists in 16 NHL games and 18 points (4+14) in 26 games with the IceCaps.
Selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the seventh round (184th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft, Redmond has appeared in parts of five NHL seasons, totaling 38 points (9+29) and a plus-11 rating in 130 games with Montreal, the Colorado Avalanche and the Winnipeg Jets. He has recorded 100 points (29+71) in 190 career regular-season AHL games, adding 19 points (4+15) in 35 AHL postseason contests.
A native of Traverse City, MI., Redmond also represented the United States at the 2015 IIHF World Hockey Championship, helping the team earn a bronze medal.
Buffalo forward Evan Rodrigues and defenseman Justin Falk will start the season on Injured Reserve, putting the Sabres at 23 players (13 forwards, 8 defensemen and 2 goaltenders) when they open the regular season Thursday night at home against the Montreal Canadiens.