Tim Murray's promise to Jack Eichel:
To cut the dead weight, get rid of the passengers and build you a long term playoff contending team.
“I made the promise to him that I would do the best that I could to make the team around him better and that we would be a longtime playoff team,… Murray said Wednesday.
Whatever. However.
Are the head coach, the assistants coaches and the captaincy on the table, Tim?
" It could be,… Murray said. “He wants to be a leader, he wants to take more of a leadership role. I encouraged him to do that. There was no talk of the ‘C.’ There was obviously talk of coach and system because I demanded that.…
Eichel left his exit interview with Murray in a salty mood on Wednesday. Losing sucks. Eichel is not a loser. He hates the passive thought of players being happy to be cashing NHL pay checks. Eichel implores alllof his teammates and coaches to go for the jugular like him. When they don't, it pisses him off royally.
Eichel vented his spleen to Murray in Wednesday.
The 20 year old phenom was extra pissed off considering he lost out on a $2 million "Schedule B" bonus late Sunday night. Eichel averaged a point a game for most of the 61 games he played in this season. Eichel scored 58 points in 61 games. Late Sunday night, Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl knocked Eichel out of the top ten ranks of pointsnlwr game. Has he finished in the top ten and not in eleventh place, Eichel would have earned a $2M Ka-Ching.
No dice, Jack.
Eichel's mind is on his money and his money is on his mind.
Tim Murray is gung ho about locking up his franchise player to a lucrative contract extension.
Eichel is entering year three of his three-year entry level deal.
Murray cannot begin discussions with Eichel's agent, Peter Fish, until July 1. You better believe Fish will be in the at the strike of Midnight on July 1.
Fish will aim high for his client. Look for an 8-year, $65-$70 million contract extension for Eichel. The 2015 second overall draft pick has said repeatedly in recent weeks that he loves the way the fans of Buffalo have embraced his friends and family.
Eichel is looking to kick the six year playoff drought over the brink of Niagara Falls.
“We’re allowed to start talking on July 1, and I don’t know why we wouldn’t start then and try to get something done,… Murray said emphatically.