Sabres GM Botterill, Eichel's camp begin extension talks

Since being named Buffalo Sabres general manager in May, Jason Botterill has been a busy man.

Botterill left his gig with the Pittsburgh Penguins to take over the Sabres from Tim Murray, and has already made a significant impact with his new club. He closed the deal on a one-year contract with Russian defenseman Viktor Antipin, and acquired Nathan Beaulieu, Marco Scandella and Jason Pominville via trades. Not to mention, Botterill navigated the Sabres through the expansion and entry drafts earlier this month.

However, with all that in tow, one important - but not yet urgent - task remains: an extension for franchise cornerstone Jack Eichel.

Eichel has one year remaining on his entry-level deal, but can begin negotiating a new contract July 1, and Botterill believes conversations with the 20-year-old's agent, Peter Fish, are headed in the right direction.

"Our conversations over the last month or so with Peter Fish have gone very well," Botterill told John Vogl of The Buffalo News. "It's a situation of understating we've had a lot going on in the organization, but we've clearly told Peter we understand how important Jack is to our organization here moving forward.

"When the time is right, I'm sure we'll be able to get a deal done."

Last season, Eichel led the Sabres with 24 goals and 57 points, despite playing just 61 games. While he might not earn the reported $13 million his draft partner Connor McDavid will, Eichel is a superstar and will surely be rewarded handsomely for an impressive two-year chapter to begin his NHL career.