Sabres' Eichel eyes Cup in possible extension: 'I want to reward the city'

Jack Eichel likes life in Buffalo.

The Sabres center, who could enter the coming campaign on the final year of his entry-level contract, is negotiating a long-term extension with the club, which he hopes covers a championship for the city.

"I've made it clear that I want to be a Sabre. I want to be in Buffalo when we start winning. I want to reward the city," the North Chelmsford, Mass., native told Barry Scanlon from the Lowell Sun. "It's been two great years. I don't want to go anywhere else."

The Sabres drafted Eichel second overall in 2015, one slot behind Connor McDavid. The Edmonton Oilers captain, coming off a season in which he won the Art Ross and Hart Memorial trophies, agreed to an eight-year, $100-million extension this offseason, a deal which could be used as a comparison for Eichel.

So too could that of McDavid's teammate, Leon Draisaitl, who on Wednesday inked a $68-million extension that will him keep in Edmonton through 2025.

"We're in the midst of it. It's between my agent and (Sabres general manager) Mr. (Jason) Botterill," Eichel said. "I'm just going to work hard this summer. All of that tends to take care of itself. Obviously the contract is important. But for me it's all about the play."

Eichel, whose season was delayed last year due to a high ankle sprain, appeared in 61 games with the Sabres in 2016-17, recording 24 goals and 33 assists.