How is he being a baby? He and his team want a disc replacement surgery versus the fusion the team wants. There is plenty of evidence that a fusion can create balance issues when skating and playing because of the limitation to mobility it creates.

A synthetic disc replacement doesn't do that and allows the athlete to have a return to more natural "feel" and mobility. The issue is it's fairly new and no hockey player has ever had it. That shouldn't matter as other professional athletes have and it has worked,. But surprise, surprise...Buffalo old school idiot management doesn't want to allow him to dictate the procedure so are digging their heels in.
- juiced

Why doesn’t the league just step in? Is there not something in the CBA that allows the player decide what happens to his body?

It hasn't come up in the two interviews he's done so far. The first was before he'd picked a number. It might be asked over the next few days.
- bmeltzer

Thanks bill. I thought he’d d
Go with another double digit. But just curious. Thanks.

A couple of things from AV's interview that I really love to see!



This is the heart of any improvement, realizing you can't keep doing the same thing and expect different results!



I love it! Learn from the teams that are having success and adapt!
- jd250

talk is cheap. When AV and hi staff make these adjustments then I will believe it.

So he is going copy other teams and not implement any of his own new ideas?

No doubt. I mean it is his neck. He should do exactly as they tell him.
- hello it's me 2050

lol at you thinking i was referring to the surgery.

lol at you thinking i was referring to the surgery.
- Ftown19125

omg then please clarify what you are referring too.

Is the type of surgery not the issue here?

Why doesn’t the league just step in? Is there not something in the CBA that allows the player decide what happens to his body?
- ClaudeFather

I agree that it should be a situation that the players association an Buffalo management discuss out of public record. However it appears that because the players association signed off on the clause that allows the team to dictate medical treatment, that Buffalo believes they hold all the cards.

Funny thing is they could be cutting their own nose off to spite their face. One of the biggest issues with the fusion at the location Jack would need it has to do with balance/shooting issue. His fear is It would hamper his ability to keep his head still and looking in proper direction while his core pivots for shots. That has happened on players who have had the operation and were never quite the same again. Could he play? Probably. Would he be able to play at an all star level That he is used to and to maintain a $$$$ salary justification going forward? Quite possibly not and that is why they'd rather take the chance or the newer surgery that wouldn't limit his movement as much as the fusion.

Its actually pretty silly its gone this far.

omg then please clarify what you are referring too.

Is the type of surgery not the issue here?
- hello it's me 2050

read what i responded to and at least try to follow along.

he wasn't going to play for them regardless. so no, that isn't really the issue.

read what i responded to and at least try to follow along.

he wasn't going to play for them regardless. so no, that isn't really the issue.
- Ftown19125

It is the main issue.

I agree that it should be a situation that the players association an Buffalo management discuss out of public record. However it appears that because the players association signed off on the clause that allows the team to dictate medical treatment, that Buffalo believes they hold all the cards.

Funny thing is they could be cutting their own nose off to spite their face. One of the biggest issues with the fusion at the location Jack would need it has to do with balance/shooting issue. His fear is It would hamper his ability to keep his head still and looking in proper direction while his core pivots for shots. That has happened on palyer5s who have had the operation and were never quite the same again. Could he play? Probably. Would he be able to pay at an all star level That he is used to and to maintain a $$$$ salary justification going forward? Quite possibly not and that is why they'd rather take the chance or the newer surgery that wouldn't limit his movement as much as the fusion.

Its actually pretty silly its gone this far.
- juiced

How does the players association sign off on something like that, they are to blame here. Yea he could have had the surgery how long ago now, how it goes on this long is beyond me. I feel like there is more to it, just doesn’t make sense.

It is the main issue.
- hello it's me 2050

oh that's why he doesn't want to play there? because they disagree on the type of surgery he should have?

oh that's why he doesn't want to play there? because they disagree on the type of surgery he should have?
- Ftown19125

The main issue is he doesn't want to get the surgery they recommend. That is a fact.

How does the players association sign off on something like that, they are to blame here. Yea he could have had the surgery how long ago now, how it goes on this long is beyond me. I feel like there is more to it, just doesn’t make sense.
- ClaudeFather

This is a lumbar example but neck is the same....

Discectomy vs. fusion: what is the difference?

Discectomy: Trauma to the back can result in a herniated disc, a type of injury that pinches the nerves in your spine. It can cause symptoms such as radiating pain, numbness or weakness. A discectomy is a procedure that involves removing the herniated or protruding disc material between the vertebrae that is causing the pain. It is a minimally invasive procedure with a shorter recovery period that a fusion surgery.
Lumbar spinal fusion: When a more conservative is not an option, your physician may suggest a lumbar spinal fusion. This procedure involves permanently joining or fusing two or more vertebrae with a bone graft or metal implant to eliminate motion. It is a major surgery. There is a longer recovery period and a higher chance that you may require permanent restrictive duties.

Had they let him have the replacement surgery when he was hurt....he could have been back in a few weeks. It is absolutely comical.

like everyone, I don't believe the surgery is the only issue that makes him not want to paly there. However, the Buffalo response probably is indicative of why he may have reservations about being there when combined with everything else that goes on there in terms of coaching, team building and tons of stuff none of us have visibility to.

The main issue is he doesn't want to get the surgery they recommend. That is a fact.
- hello it's me 2050

lol he played like 20 games least season. i'm sure him wanting out hasn't hampered them coming to any kind of agreement on the type of surgery he should have to correct the injury.

This is a lumbar example but neck is the same....

Discectomy vs. fusion: what is the difference?

Discectomy: Trauma to the back can result in a herniated disc, a type of injury that pinches the nerves in your spine. It can cause symptoms such as radiating pain, numbness or weakness. A discectomy is a procedure that involves removing the herniated or protruding disc material between the vertebrae that is causing the pain. It is a minimally invasive procedure with a shorter recovery period that a fusion surgery.
Lumbar spinal fusion: When a more conservative is not an option, your physician may suggest a lumbar spinal fusion. This procedure involves permanently joining or fusing two or more vertebrae with a bone graft or metal implant to eliminate motion. It is a major surgery. There is a longer recovery period and a higher chance that you may require permanent restrictive duties.

Had they let him have the replacement surgery when he was hurt....he could have been back in a few weeks. It is absolutely comical.
- juiced

If I was Eichel I would be 100% against the fusion surgery.

This is a lumbar example but neck is the same....

Discectomy vs. fusion: what is the difference?

Discectomy: Trauma to the back can result in a herniated disc, a type of injury that pinches the nerves in your spine. It can cause symptoms such as radiating pain, numbness or weakness. A discectomy is a procedure that involves removing the herniated or protruding disc material between the vertebrae that is causing the pain. It is a minimally invasive procedure with a shorter recovery period that a fusion surgery.
Lumbar spinal fusion: When a more conservative is not an option, your physician may suggest a lumbar spinal fusion. This procedure involves permanently joining or fusing two or more vertebrae with a bone graft or metal implant to eliminate motion. It is a major surgery. There is a longer recovery period and a higher chance that you may require permanent restrictive duties.

Had they let him have the replacement surgery when he was hurt....he could have been back in a few weeks. It is absolutely comical.

like everyone, I don't believe the surgery is the only issue that makes him not want to paly there. However, the Buffalo response probably is indicative of why he may have reservations about being there when combined with everything else that goes on there in terms of coaching, team building and tons of stuff none of us have visibility to.
- juiced

Yea I’m with you on the surgery and everyone seems to be in his corner regarding that. Shame on the league and PA for letting this drag as well tho, they need to be better.

If I was Eichel I would be 100% against the fusion surgery.
- MBFlyerfan

So would I. I have a herniated disc along with 2 degenerative disks and I will not have fusion surgery.

lol he played like 20 games least season. i'm sure him wanting out hasn't hampered them coming to any kind of agreement on the type of surgery he should have to correct the injury.
- Ftown19125

omg...what does how many game he played last years have anything to do with the current situation? Whether it has hampered them or not doesn't matter. The main issue is the type of surgery. You disagree, that's great.

Good, they gave him what an $80M contract, stop your crying buddy. These athletes today are so entitled. I understand that the organizations have a lot of power but this one doesn’t shine a very good light on the kid.
- ClaudeFather

Yeah, im not on board with this. He haz to live with the ramifications of the surgery. There is a fair amount of stuxies showing the benefits and success of the replacement djsk vs fusion modalities

I dont bla.e Eichel one iota

So would I. I have a herniated disc along with 2 degenerative disks and I will not have fusion surgery.
- corduroy

His range of motion would be severely limited from then on and there would be nothing he could do about it.

omg...what does how many game he played last years have anything to do with the current situation? Whether it has hampered them or not doesn't matter. The main issue is the type of surgery. You disagree, that's great.
- hello it's me 2050

the injury happened months ago. that has nothing to do with the current situation?

Why doesn’t the league just step in? Is there not something in the CBA that allows the player decide what happens to his body?
- ClaudeFather

Did you not read the bolded portion of the previous post addressing this

Yea I’m with you on the surgery and everyone seems to be in his corner regarding that. Shame on the league and PA for letting this drag as well tho, they need to be better.
- ClaudeFather

One thing I forgot to mention that makes it even more stupid on Buffalos part. A synthetic disc replacement is a completely reversible procedure. if it doesn't work, you can always do a fusion. Once a fusion is done...that's all she wrote.

Given the timing of his injury....he could have had the replacement, healed in a few weeks, determine if it was working and been ready to go OR....could have seen it wasn't working, had the fusion and STILL been ready for camp. Instead they have been sitting across the table having a "hold your breath" contest for well over half a year.

Eichel stripped of captaincy and placed on IR after failing his physical. This situation is hilarious.
- Ftown19125

Yeah Elliot Friedman predicted all of this over a week ago. Buffalo asking for the moon for Eichel but the uncertainty with his neck and the treatment he wants done make teams hesitant to give up what Buffalo is asking. Looks like he's on track to miss the Olympics as well. What a shame.

One thing I forgot to mention that makes it even more stupid on Buffalos part. A synthetic disc replacement is a completely reversible procedure. if it doesn't work, you can always do a fusion. Once a fusion is done...that's all she wrote.

Given the timing of his injury....he could have had the replacement, healed in a few weeks, determine if it was working and been ready to go OR....could have seen it wasn't working, had the fusion and STILL been ready for camp. Instead they have been sitting across the table having a "hold your breath" contest for well over half a year.
- juiced

Exactly.

If I was Eichel I would be 100% against the fusion surgery.
- MBFlyerfan

My mother had one. Greatly reduced her movement / flexibility.

An employee of mine is about to have hers redone due to the fusion separating year later. She’s thrilled and may force her to retire early.