AP Source: Eichel, Sabres Negotiating Potential 8-Year Deal
By JOHN WAWROW, AP Hockey Writer
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — A person familiar with negotiations tells The Associated Press the Buffalo Sabres and Jack Eichel are discussing a contract extension that could run the NHL maximum eight years.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity on Wednesday because the talks have been private since formal negotiations began a little over a month ago.
Sabres owner Terry Pegula declined to assess the status of negotiations except to say no deadline has been set and that both sides are committed to reaching a deal.
Pegula says the team wants Eichel and Eichel wants to be in Buffalo.
Eichel's agent Peter Fish says the sides are "continuing to talk."
The 20-year-old Eichel has one season remaining on the entry-level contract he signed after being selected with the second pick in the 2015 draft. Eichel will only be eligible to become a restricted free agent whose rights can be retained by the Sabres next summer, though teams often prefer locking up their young stars well before that happens.
___
For more NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey
(Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)