A full breakdown of what could happen to Jack Eichel if he's not traded by the time training camps open

With training camps set to open in a couple of weeks, time is running out for the Buffalo Sabres to trade Jack Eichel. Eichel has made it clear he does not want to play in Buffalo any longer, but his trade request so far has led to nothing. So, what happens if he's still a member of the Sabres when training camp opens and he's expected to report to the team? The Athletic's John Vogl, who has covered the Sabres for years, has given a full breakdown.

«First, let's start with the assumption Eichel will not get traded in the next two weeks and reports to training camp. The opening day features physicals," said Vogl. "Eichel will fail the physical because of the herniated disk in his neck."

As far as we know, Eichel has not yet had any type of surgery on the herniated disc in his neck

"Article 16.11 of the collective bargaining agreement states: 'A player who finishes an NHL Season on the Injured Reserve List and continues to be disabled and unable to perform his duties as a hockey Player by reason of the same injury at the time he reports to the Club's Training Camp in the next League Year will again be eligible to be placed on the Club's Injured Reserve List.' So, in theory, the Sabres could place Eichel back on IR and let him return home to Boston until a trade is finalized. Given the contentiousness between the parties, that's the cleanest option."

Vogl is absolutely right about that being the cleanest option. However, there's no guarantee this happens, and the Sabres have been willing to punish injured players before.

"In 2007, the Sabres suspended Teppo Numminen without pay when he failed his physical because he needed heart surgery. In 1997, the Sabres refused to let Pat LaFontaine attend training camp because team doctors wouldn't clear him because of concussions, though the captain had other doctors saying he was good to play," said Vogl.

Now, given the already contentious relationship between Eichel and the Sabres, what would happen in Eichel decided not to report to training camp? Here's what Vogl had to say:

"Let's say Eichel doesn't report. According to Article 15.13 of the CBA: 'For each day a Player does not report during Training Camp without his Club's permission, his pay shall be reduced by 1/275th of his annual Paragraph 1 NHL Salary.' With a salary of $10 million this season, 1/275th of Eichel's pay is $36,363.64. He'd forfeit it for every day he was absent without permission."

It's doubtful Eichel is willing to let that happen, but you never know. He's definitely dug in his heels about never playing for Buffalo again and may dig in his heels on this as well. We won't have to wait long to find out.

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