Chelmsford's Jack Eichel Signs $80M Contract With Buffalo Sabres

CHELMSFORD, MA — Jack Eichel, the 20-year-old Buffalo Sabres star and pride of Chelmsford, this week signed an $8-year, $80 million contract extension as the team gears up for the season opener. The deal is reportedly the richest in Sabres' history. Eichel, who grew up in North Chelmsford and played college hockey at Boston University, is entering his third professional season. He was drafted by the Sabres in 2015 and made his regular-season debut at the age of 18.

"This organization has been nothing but great to me since the first day I walked in the doors," Eichel said during news conference as the team announced his contract extension. "I really owe it to them and I think I owe it to myself to do something special here." (Sign up for free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts from Chelmsford Patch.)

Eichel, a center, is regarded as one of the National Hockey League's best young players. He scored 24 goals in his rookie campaign and equaled that amount in an injury-shortened 2016 season. Eichel's Sabres open their 2017-2018 campaign Thursday, October 5, at 7 p.m. against the Montreal Canadiens. The Sabres are banking on Eichel to help turn the team's fortunes around — Buffalo has missed the playoffs the past six seasons.

"We're very comfortable with our leadership group that we have right now, and Jack's a big part of it," Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill said during Eichel's signing, according to nhl.com.

Photo: Jack Eichel (#15) of the Buffalo Sabres fights for the puck during a game at BB&T Center on April 8, 2017, in Sunrise, Florida. (Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)