Taylor Hall had quite a bit to say about Jack Eichel's situation and his time in Buffalo

BarDown Staff

What’s Eichel’s value right now?

Taylor Hall is living his best hockey life outside of Buffalo, but his good friend Jack Eichel didn’t exactly have the same fortune this season.

After struggling out of the gates with the Sabres, Hall was eventually sent packing to Boston where he’s looked like a new player (8 goals, 6 assists, 16 GP). Meanwhile, his for teammate Eichel has been sidelined since March 7^th with a herniated disc in his neck and set Twitter on fire after expressing his disagreement with the way the medical staff handled the injury, and made it clear that his future with the team is up in the air. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Eichel was committed to an early May surgery, but insinuated the Sabres did not want him to go through with it.

A month ago Eichel was committed to an early May surgery. Late April, Sabres sources stated all the docs involved were still working through the process and no decision had been made. A difference in medical opinion isn’t unusual, but normally there’s an amicable resolution.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 10, 2021

Jack Eichel essentially says the Sabres wouldn't let him have surgery on his herniated disk in his neck.

His body, his choice?

"It doesn't work like that. I wish. ... I'm under contract with this team and they definitely hold a lot of cards on what I can and can't do."
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) May 10, 2021

Hall was asked about Eichel’s situation following his beautiful OT winner against the Islanders on Monday night, and went to bat for his good friend when asked about his situation, also adding that there were some “dark days” in Buffalo.

Plenty of stuff to take away from this response from Taylor Hall on the Sabres and Jack Eichel:

"There were really dark days this year in Buffalo."

"I didn't play well - I don't have anyone else to blame ... other than myself."

"Ultimately, Jack has to worry about himself." pic.twitter.com/ZeXPR23ijY
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 11, 2021

You could really sense the frustrating from Eichel when he initially addressed the situation on Monday.

Eichel asked by @pham1717 why he can't just have surgery if he wants. #Sabres "hold he cards on a lot of what I can and can't do" pic.twitter.com/Z5LpfWdqEj
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) May 10, 2021

In six seasons with the Sabres, Eichel has zero playoff appearances to his name. Now more than ever, it seems like the 2015 second overall pick’s time with the team might be coming to an end. But more importantly, we just hope he’s ready to go for next season.

(H/T Conor Ryan)