The injured star forward continues to recover from a high-ankle sprain.
From sabres.com: BUFFALO, N.Y. — Another practice for the Buffalo Sabres at HarborCenter on Sunday morning meant yet another day of progress for Jack Eichel, who skated with his teammates for the third time as he continues to recover from a high-ankle sprain.
Eichel first joined the Sabres for their morning skate last Wednesday and then was a full participant in practice the next day. He stayed back to skate on his own while the team was in Washington on Friday, and his session on Sunday proved to be his most physical to date.
“I think today was a good test for him in a lot of ways, the speed and the pace of practice and the workload,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. “There was some 5-on-5, some D-zone coverage, 2-on-2 battles down low … I thought it was a real good test for him.”
How Eichel responds to his day at practice will determine the next step in his rehabilitation. The Sabres’ next game is on the road in Ottawa on Tuesday, followed by a home game against the New York Rangers on Thursday.
“I think we’re day-to-day,” Bylsma said. “I’d like him to practice another 20 times. Jack’s just really taking it day-by-day with his recovery and where he’s at with his progression.”
Eichel skated on a line with Evander Kane on his left wing while other forwards rotated on his right on Sunday. That spot on the right is likely reserved for Sam Reinhart, who was absent from practice for a maintenance day. Bylsma said he expects Reinhart to practice with the team on Monday.
As patient as Eichel has been to this point, Bylsma said he’s seen his young forward starting to get the itch to take that next step and join his teammates not just for practice, but for a game.
“I think you can feel him understand that the day is coming very soon, in the next little bit,” Bylsma said. “I think he’s starting to get that bug to get back on the ice and play and hopefully that comes sooner than later.”