Sabres’ Jack Eichel fails physical, stripped of captaincy
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Hockey Writer
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres have stripped Jack Eichel of his captaincy. It raises further questions about his future in Buffalo. He and the team disagree over how to treat a neck injury that has sidelined the center for six months. The Sabres were unable to trade the five-time 20-goal scorer this offseason. Eichel favors having artificial disk replacement surgery. The Sabres are against him having the procedure because it has never been performed on an NHL player, and prefer him having the disk fused. He will be placed on injured reserve.