Thank the hockey gods that Jack Eichel makes his NHL debut in 29.5 hours http://t.co/oT5AZq9uek pic.twitter.com/cXhEEJTiAL
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) September 20, 2015
While the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots were being deflated by Tom Brady and the Cheatriots in Orchard Park, rookie Jack Eichel was learning from Dan Bylsma that he will be making his NHL debut in Minnesota on Monday night.
The Boston University Terrier alum will get his first taste of NHL hockey on Monday night when the Sabres travel to Minneapolis/St. Paul to play the Wild.
It's a unique pairing with the Sabres traveling to Minnesota not just once, but twice in this seven game exhibition season. On Monday night, the future of the Buffalo Sabres will face the ghosts of Sabres glory teams past in Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek.
This will be Eichel's first test against NHL; caliber players aside from his own teammates in scrimmages. It should be a great test for he, Sam Reinhart, and the rest of the young Sabres.
Eichel was the star in Buffalo's win at the prospects challenge last Monday, however, he was playing against prospects. Monday he will be matching wits and skills with a roster comprised of grown men and kids. Each NHL club must play 10 veterans in each exhibition game.
“He’s going to get a chance with the scoreboard running and different colored jerseys in the National Hockey League to play a game,… Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said after Day 3 of training camp had concluded.
Bylsma said that the 2015 Hobey Baker Award winner will play the pivot for his regular linemates Matt Moulson and Zemgus Girgensons.
The 26-41-28 line has been very productive for the Sabres in the scrimmages and practice sessions in training camp. Eichel is given protection and support by two veteran wingers who can finish and fore check.
“They’ve been through three hard days out there,… Bylsma said. “Right now, it’s not going to be their freshest legs in this game. I’m not looking at this game like, ‘Oh, we’re going to see something,’ or, ‘What’s it going to show us?’ We are looking for how we’re going to play as a team. That’s just in the initial stages of developing.…
Chad Johnson will get the start in the Buffalo cage. Nathan Lieuwen may get some playing time as well.
Darcy Kuemper will start for the Wild.
Wild head coach told Pioneer Press that he will be dressing a largely veteran lineup against Eichel and Buffalo. He will play his top six forwards including Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek, and former BU star Charlie Coyle and three of his top four D-men Ryan Suter, Jhonas Brodin and Marco Scandella.
On facing Eichel for the first time, Yeo said:
"In exhibition, I'm just completely focused on our group," Yeo said. "But it'll be fun for our fans to see a player of that caliber. And I've never seen him play live, so that'll be great. But I'll be completely watching game."
An added sub-plot worth watching is that Yeo used to be an assistant coach on Dan Bylsma's staff in Pittsburgh.
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