North Chelmsford's Eichel signs $80-million deal with Sabres

Local boy Jack Eichel earned a massive payday Tuesday night.

The North Chelmsford, Mass., native agreed on an eight-year deal worth $80 million with the Buffalo Sabres. The AAV is worth $10 per season.

“It’s a really good deal for both sides,” said Peter Donatelli, one of Eichel’s agents. “Jack is at a number he is comfortable with and the Sabres will have room in the future to build a winner, which was important for Jack and Buffalo.”



The former Boston University standout and Hobey Baker Award winner enters his third pro season in the NHL and he's become a budding superstar. In 142 games, the 20-year-old center has 48 goals and 65 assists for 113 points. He was the No. 2 overall pick behind the Oilers' Connor McDavid in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

McDavid, 20, signed an eight-year deal worth $100 million on July 5.

Now that Eichel has his long-term deal, he can focus on hockey and prove why he wanted to stay in Buffalo. Since he's playing in the last season of his entry-level deal, his extension begins next season. The next thing the Sabres need to do is stitch the 'C' on Eichel's No. 15 sweater.

Terriers coach David Quinn has been impressed with the way Eichel has handled the NHL, both on and off the ice.

"He's been a go-to guy from the get-go there, which is something he's used to, but it's different at that level," Quinn told me last season. "It's been amazing to watch how well he's handled the physical aspect of it and he's shown everybody why he was highly touted and a world-class player for a long time."