DeBoer Puts Pause on Eichel Excitement

In recent weeks, there has been plenty of speculation as to when Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel will make his season debut.

That excitement grew even larger this past week, when owner Bill Foley appeared on the SinBin.vegas podcast and suggested the 25-year-old was just weeks away from returning. Rightfully so, speculation grew as to who the team may move to make room for Eichel and his contract, but according to a media availability from head coach Peter DeBoer on Wednesday, management may not be in as big of a rush to make a move as some expected.

“I don’t know what the timeframe will be,” DeBoer told reporters about Eichel. “It’ll be at least a month or two months before he plays.”

This is a disappointing update after what we all heard from Foley less than a week ago. Perhaps DeBoer is simply looking to temper expectations to avoid the entire situation being a distraction from his team, it still doesn’t appear as though he will be back in the lineup right away. The good news however is that he is expected to start travelling with the team.

Eichel, who has not yet played in 2021-22, was acquired by the Golden Knights back November from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, a 2022 first-round pick, and a 2023 second-round pick. He recorded two goals and 18 points in 21 games in what was a frustrating 2020-21 campaign. In 2019-20 however, he proved just how good he can be, scoring 36 goals and 78 points in just 68 games.