NHL Rumors: Jack Eichel neck surgery update; Coyotes home search; and Predators will eventually need to make a trade
Anthony Scultore
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Today’s batch of rumors continues with an update on Jack Eichel’s neck surgery. In addition, Craig S. Morgan dishes on some possibilities for the Arizona Coyotes new home search.
Also, with the Nashville Predators working on extensions for two key pending UFA’s in 2022, they may need to move out one of their top paid forwards as a result.
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NHL Rumors: Jack Eichel neck surgery
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period is reporting that sources have told him Jack Eichel has not had any surgery. The dispute between a traditional fusion procedure or artificial disc replacement still rages on. Regardless, this means for certain that Eichel will not be ready for the start of the season.
Multiple sources have confirmed that Eichel has still not undergone surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck, and it’s looking likely that he will not be medically cleared and available for the start of the regular-season – regardless of what team he’s on.
TFP
A fusion’s recovery time is no less than 12 weeks. Meanwhile, the disc replacement is a window of 8-10 weeks. Either option has him missing all of camp and the start of the season, if not longer. This news will likely mean teams will want to pay even less then they were willing to before the free agency opened on July 28.
As to Eichel just going ahead with the his surgery of choice, it’s a CBA violation. Furthermore, he could not only be fined but have his contract terminated if the surgery went wrong.
Coyotes new home search
The City of Glendale have told the Arizona Coyotes the will need to find a new home after the 2021-22 season after not renewing their lease for the publicly owned Gila River Arena.
The two parties operate on a year by year agreement and the city of Glendale informed the club last Thursday of their plans. The Coyotes have to vacate the arena by June 30, 2022.
In response to the City’s decision, the Yotes expressed their disappointment and also commitment to stay in Arizona. Craig S. Morgan who covers the team offered several possibilities but the most intriguing was Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The arena capacity is under 14,000 and needs some renovations but could work as a stop gap until they find more suitable accommodations. Morgan, as well as Commissioner Gary Bettman did not rule out getting back to the negotiation table with the City of Glendale to remain in the Gila River Arena another year or so.
Predators may need to make a move
Filip Forsberg and Mattias Ekholm will be UFAs next summer, but GM David Poile is trying to get them extended now. According to published reports, conversations have started with Ekholm.
“And then I think shortly before training camp we’ll reach out to Filip Forsberg and [Mattias Ekholm] camp and sort of get a lay of the land as to where Filip’s thoughts are right now,” Poile said. “Those are the next two priorities.”
NHL.com
Forsberg, 27, scored 32 points in 39 games last season. He’s coming off a deal with an AAV of $6M. Meanwhile, Ekholm, 31, registered 23 points in 48 games and earns just $3.75M against the cap. Both are due raises but Ekholm will see a significant increase.
When it comes to Forsberg, his signing will likely mean the urgency to trade either Matt Duchene or Ryan Johansson only go up. Nashville may be forced to eat a considerable portion of either’s contract to facilitate a move.
