By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
The Buffalo Sabres are close to a contract extension with center Jack Eichel.
It’s reportedly an eight-year deal for the young star.
Reports say that the extension will be worth $80 million. If true, he’ll have an average salary of $10 million.
The Sabres lock up their 20-year-old star just two seasons in the league. He was the second overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
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Connor McDavid was the No. 1 overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers in that draft. He’s also carrying the highest-average cap hit of any player in the league at a $12.5 million clip from a deal he signed months ago.
Eichel will now be tied with Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar with the $10 million average. Chicago Blackhawks right winger Patrick Kane and center Jonathan Toews, along with Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price have an average of $10.5 million per season.
Before striking this deal, he was entering the final season of his entry-level contract. He’s considered one of the best younger players in the league – and this stopped him from becoming a restricted free agent next summer.
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There were rumors, going far back as April, that he would not re-sign with the team, as long as head coach Dan Bylsma was the head coach moving forward. Bylsma and then-general manager Tim Murray were both fired on the same day.
Since then, along with Jason Botterill and Phil Housley being named general manager and head coach, he has clearly changed his mind.
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