Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said he will be mindful of easing Eichel back into a regular role.
"It's an injury that Jack is probably going to feel for the next two weeks, four weeks, month, month and a half, two months, however long it is," Bylsma said. "It's not going to feel 100 percent. He's got to understand that. We have to understand that, but at the same time getting back into our game, he hasn't played a game yet this year. I hope it's not going to be 23 minutes of ice time tonight. It's going to be gradual, step back into his role on our team, his spot on our team."
Eichel led Buffalo with 24 goals last season, so his return is welcomed by the Sabres, who are last in the NHL with an average of 1.81 goals per game. The Sabres, who are in last place in the Atlantic Division, went 7-9-5 without Eichel, who will play center on a line with Evander Kane and Sam Reinhart.
Kane, who missed 11 games after injuring his ribs in the season opener and has yet to score a goal, said he is hoping to get a boost from Eichel's return.
"He's a pretty dynamic player," Kane said. "It's nice to have my centerman back. Hopefully we can start off where we all left off, actually back here in Ottawa in our last exhibition game."
Bylsma said Eichel's return will have the added benefit of slotting other players into roles more suited for their talents.
"I think the question of what is the trickle-down effect of having Jack in your lineup, I think it fits, it makes a lot of other people fit better in our lineup," Bylsma said. "Not just from his linemates, Sam and Evander, but throughout our lineup. We've had the feeling the last two days in practice that you feel a lot better about where you're slotted, where you're playing and it's had an effect on our team. It's got to show up in the game, but it's had an effect on our team from an offensive standpoint."
