BUFFALO – Jason Botterill believes a contract extension for star Sabres center Jack Eichel will get done, the general manager said Monday.
Botterill, however, offered no date, only saying he hopes to have a new deal completed shortly.
“Both parties would like to get a deal done,” Botterill said inside HarborCenter.
Botterill said discussions with Eichel’s agents “continue to be very cordial.” There are no sticking points, he said.
“It has to be a situation where both groups are comfortable where the number’s at, where the term’s at and are excited about this relationship moving forward,” he said.
Eichel, who has one year left on his entry-level contract, said last Tuesday he wanted to stay with the Sabres. He also said he was willing to play the season out without an extension.
“He’s focused on the season, he focused coming into training camp,” Botterill said. “In all our interaction with him, it’s been a lot of fun, and we’re really looking forward to getting on the ice with him. Our relationship with his agents continue to be very positive.”
Eichel’s next contract will likely be an eight-year deal worth perhaps around $10 million a season.