The Sabres Observer
After Opening Night, Wondering What Might Have Been
by @DaveDavisHockey on 10/13/16 at 10:59 AM ET
Comments (0)
It's strange to talk about reaching a low point before the hockey season even starts, but that's where it seems we're at in Buffalo.
The Sabres were only minutes away from ending practice yesterday when Jack Eichel got tangled up with Zemgus Girgensons during a drill in front of the net, and then there was screaming as Buffalo's franchise player fell to the ice.
While fellow young phenoms Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid were turning opening night on its ear with dazzling performances, Eichel -- well, I don't know what he was doing but I'm going to assume it didn't involve walking.
Watching those two great young players last night brought about a somber tone. I felt like the little kid watching the others play with their beautiful, bright shiny toys while mine was broken in pieces on the floor.
It's hard to imagine a hockey nightmare in Buffalo that's much worse. And it makes it even tougher when contemplating the joy felt by fans of the Leafs witnessing Matthews break a debut record with four goals, and thinking of the fun had by Oilers fans enjoying the extraordinary display of hockey from McDavid, whom I'm ready to declare right now is already the best player in the NHL.
What could Eichel have done to try to top that tonight against a Canadiens team deflated by the non-appearance of its ill superstar goaltender? We'll never know.
Sure, the kid is very young and for all we know a fast healer. But any extended absence by Buffalo's best player is enough to pretty much kick their already questionable playoff chances to the curb. And from what we know and have been told about the difficulty with high ankle sprains, it'll be a miracle if he's playing in a game before Thanksgiving. For what it's worth, Robin Lehner had the same type of injury last season and was out over three months.
(Update: Dan Bylsma said moments ago that the injury is "moderate" and the time frame is "certainly more weeks than days".)
Bylsma, who has adamantly said previously that the Sabres can be a playoff team this season, will need to find a way to get his team to pick up enough points to tread water and stick around in the race while Eichel is mending. This will involve giving guys like Marcus Foligno and Johan Larsson top-six minutes.
Call me crazy, but that's a lot to ask.
Filed in: | The Sabres Observer | Permalink
Tags: eichel+injury
Comments
Be the first to comment.
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Post-Free Agency Atlantic Division Outlook
Botterill’s Patience Mantra Will Be A Tough Sell
Sabres Fans Unfairly Criticized Yet Again
Bylsma’s Future In Buffalo Looks Bleak
Sabres Trade Deadline Day Forecast: Calm
The Sabres Appear To Have A Maturity Problem
The Twelve Greatest Sabres of All Time
About The Sabres Observer
Dave Davis has covered the Buffalo Sabres for various NHL accredited websites and newspapers since 2003. He was the senior writer and Sabres correspondent for The Fourth Period, covered hockey for Western New York Sports and Leisure Magazine, and has had articles featured on NHL.com, FOX Sports, Yahoo Sports and in New York Sportscene. Sabres news and notes can be found on his Twitter page.
Email: dd@kuklaskorner.com Twitter: [@DaveDavisHockey]