Jack Eichel through the years
Here's a look at Jack Eichel's career from college to NHL star for the Buffalo Sabres.
Jack Eichel through the years
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.
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.
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel is tested during the NHL combine drills at the HarborCenter on June 6, 2015.
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel is put through his paces during the NHL combine drills at the HarborCenter.
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.
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel took batting practice at Marlins Park in Miami prior to the draft.
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.
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel already had his jersey number the night he was selcted.
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.
Jack Eichel through the years
Fans welcomed Eichel home to Boston when the Sabres played the Bruins Dec. 26, 2015.
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.
Jack Eichel through the years
McDavid and Eichel face off as professionals for the first time on March 1.
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel misses on a backhand in overtime against the Edmonton Oilers.
Jack Eichel through the years
Eichel celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during third period on March 3.
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.
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.
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.
Jack Eichel through the years
Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel moves down the ice.
Jack Eichel through the years
Jack Eichel scored two goals during an injury-plagued 2020-21 season.
Jack Eichel through the years
Jack Eichel during Buffalo Sabres practice at KeyBank Center on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021.
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)
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)
Eichel, 25, exits the Sabres having experienced zero playoff games in six seasons since he was drafted second overall in 2015.
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.
In addition to acquiring draft choices in 2022 (first round, albeit top 10 protected) and 2023 (second round), Buffalo added power forward Alex Tuch and top prospect Peyton Krebs.
"If you want to be mad Eichel is an ex-Sabre, this one lies squarely at the feet of Terry and Kim Pegula, as well as Dan Bylsma, Phil Housley, Ralph Krueger and Jason Botterill," Harrington writes.
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…