The Buffalo Sabres disappointing season has gone from bad to worse, as star centre Jack Eichel has suffered a high ankle sprain. He is out indefinitely but given the nature of the injury, it is expected to be several weeks. The team made the announcement on their official Twitter feed.
Injury update: #Sabres forward Jack Eichel has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain and will be out indefinitely. pic.twitter.com/afSU7sbof7
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 11, 2018
Buffalo Sabres Centre Jack Eichel Injured
Eichel was injured during the Sabres 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday night. Eichel collided awkwardly with Bruins defenceman Matt Grzelcyk behind the Bruins net late in the first period. He left the game and did not return.
BU on BU violence here. An awkward collision between Matt Grzelcyk and Jack Eichel has the Sabres star in major pain. pic.twitter.com/Ovt7JHCjBG
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 11, 2018
“I thought everybody stepped their game up when Jack went down,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said to the Buffalo News after the game.
So far this season, Eichel scored 22 goals and 31 assists for 53 points in 55 games. He also added 28 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers are 49.7 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of +3.4.
Since being drafted second overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, Eichel has spent his entire three-year NHL career with the Sabres. He has put up 70 goals and 96 assists for 166 career points in 197 career games.
“It’s tough losing Jack,” Sabres goaltender Chad Johnson said. “He’s our best player and franchise player so it’s tough, but we’re all professionals. We all understand the situation. Guys get injured or hurt so guys have to step up and play more minutes and they stepped up and did that so it was good.”
Main Photo: 05 APR 2016: Buffalo Sabres centre Jack Eichel (15) during the game between the New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres played at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
