Report: Eichel won't sign extension if Bylsma remains coach
Jack Eichel is reportedly presenting the Buffalo Sabres with an ultimatum.
The 20-year-old forward has no desire to sign a contract extension with the club in the offseason if Dan Bylsma is still the head coach, multiple sources told WGR 550's Paul Hamilton.
Eichel has one more year remaining on his entry-level deal before he becomes a restricted free agent. Bylsma has three years left on his contract.
Sabres general manager Tim Murray said last week that he would meet with team owners Terry and Kim Pegula this week, and WGR 550 reports that discussion will take place Wednesday.
At his season-ending news conference, Murray insisted he's had no thoughts of firing Bylsma "up to this point," but made a point of mentioning that anything can happen in the future.
Related: Sabres GM wishy-washy about Bylsma's future
"He's the coach today like I'm the GM today," Murray told Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News. "... I haven't had any thoughts of firing him up to this point. The reason I always say today is because something could happen tomorrow."
Eichel has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the team this season, saying as recently as last week that too few of his teammates are working hard enough and actually want to win.
He reportedly stormed out of the dressing room in a postgame huff in December, after which Bylsma suggested the Sabres should channel Eichel's anger and said the entire team should be as frustrated as the young center.
The second overall pick in 2015 led Buffalo in points and ranked second on the team in goals this season, despite missing 21 games due to injury.