Sabres draftee Eichel signs entry level deal, leaving school

Jul 1, 2015 - 9:32 PM BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres draftee Jack Eichel signed his first professional contract on Wednesday, opting to skip his final three years of college eligibility.

Buffalo selected the physical 18-year-old center No. 2 overall in last week's draft, picking a player who won the 2015 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey.

Rookie deals are capped and he's expected to receive the maximum value.

The physical center had 26 goals and 45 assists in 40 games with Boston University. He was the second freshman to nab the Baker award - Maine's Paul Kariya won it in 1993.

Eichel arrived in Buffalo earlier Wednesday, where he was greeted at the airport by team president Ted Black.

Eichel joins a revitalized Sabres roster that includes center Ryan O'Reilly, winger Jamie McGinn, goalie Robin Lehner and forward David Legwand.

The Sabres are also negotiating a contract extension with O'Reilly, general manager Tim Murray said. Murray said the sides are close to a deal and have exchanged offers.

O'Reilly is set to make $6.2 million during the final year of his contract next season. He was acquired along with McGinn in a draft day trade with Colorado for Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko and the 31st overall pick in Friday's draft.