Jamie Nye: Buffalo Sabres appease Eichel but will the change make a difference?

Jack Eichel followed Connor McDavid in the draft and now he’s following his lead in getting changes done within the organization.

Remember, McDavid’s very open and honest opinion of not being in the playoff race in Edmonton and all of a sudden Peter Chiarelli was gone.

Well, Eichel gave a very similar edge of the cliff opinion that sounded a lot like McDavid’s threat that if things don’t change he might be ready to leave.

So, like Edmonton, the Buffalo Sabres fired their General Manager Jason Botterill.

Of course, it’s not necessarily these players’ public statements that got the GM fired but it likely became an easier decision by the owners and presidents of the team to buy some time with their marquee players.

It’s been nine straight seasons out of the playoffs for Buffalo, which dates back before Eichel even arrived.

Someone needed to spark a fire, now we’ll see if Eichel’s leadership and presence can end a decade of dread for the Sabres.