Latest Jack Eichel update changes timeline again

Looking at Jack Eichel’s recovery, we are still shaking our heads at why the Buffalo Sabres wanted nothing to do with the procedure. This is going way better than anyone could have expected.

In mid-November, the newly acquired Vegas Golden Knights’ forward underwent successful neck surgery in Denver and was expected to make a full recovery. After the artificial disk replacement procedure, which had never been done on an NHL player before, Eichel was said to be walking and happy with how it went.

Updates started pouring in that the superstar was skating as Eichel was caught on tape with on skates and went on the ice in Golden Knights’ gear.

Now Elliotte Friedman adds to the good news in his latest 32 Thoughts column on Sportsnet, stating that there is a possibility that the return timetable for Eichel could be shortened.

“If all continues to plan, it’s possible Jack Eichel heads to Vegas early in 2022. He remains in Charlotte, with rehab going well.”

While last week there was a report that Eichel could get a shot at Team USA for the Winter Games, the current COVID outbreaks has fans wondering if the forward would risk travelling and getting caught in a long quarantine.

But now with Friedman stating that a return early in 2022 is possible for Eichel, this is good news for Vegas.

After an eight-month saga in which Eichel wanted out of Buffalo as the Sabres preferred an anterior cervical discectomy fusion, while Eichel and his representatives preferred this ADR procedure, the discord led to the Sabres trading Eichel and a future third-round pick to the Golden Knights on Nov. 4 for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs and two picks.

This is a huge win for the Golden Knights, but most importantly Eichel himself.