When Could Jack Eichel Realistically Make His Golden Knights Debut

The Vegas Golden Knights have consistently denied reports that newly acquired, Jack Eichel, could be close to returning. Despite the fact that he’s made tremendous strides in his recovery, the Golden Knights organization has consistently said that Eichel still has awhile before returning to in-game action.

Jack Eichel is one of the newest Vegas Golden Knights players, but when could we realistically see Jack Eichel make his Golden Knights debut?

Jack Eichel got his artificial disc surgery, it was reported that his return would be in mid-late January. That is of course, barring any setbacks post-surgery. Now, we are in the early stages of February just past the all-star break and he has yet to play a game yet for the Vegas Golden Knights. So, what’s the hold-up?

Well there are a couple things that could be keeping the Knights organization from putting him in the lineup. First, he is your franchise so you need to make sure you’re not rushing into anything that could risk hurting him. Second, when you chose to activate Eichel of the LTIR, it means that someone is going to have to get traded.

Elaborating on the first point I made; Jack Eichel was acquired by the Vegas Golden Knights via. trade with the Buffalo Sabres. In that trade that sent Eichel to Vegas, the Knights gave up top prospects Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, and a 2022 first-round pick. Which, given how well Tuch has performed for the Sabres, already shows the Knights that it might’ve been a risky trade.

I mean Tuch was a budding superstar before the Knights traded him to Buffalo, and Krebs showed a lot of potential given his skating and playmaking potential. Eichel has to exceed a lot of expectations set by the fans, and that means making sure that he is in fact 100% healthy by the time he steps on the ice.

Now digging deeper into the second point I mead; When Eichel comes off the LTIR, the Knights will have to trade away a player or two in order to make room for his contract. Which, even though it’s a business, it’s never easy to do. More so, I’m sure it’s something they are not rushing by any stretch. However, they can’t keep him on the sideline that much further.

Jack Eichel has continued to make great strides in his recovery that could lead to him making his official Golden Knights debut very soon. Post All-star break, we were told that Eichel was cleared for contact and therefore his return has begun getting even closer.

Given the steady increase in contact and how everything has progressed, It wouldn’t be too much longer or too much of a reach to think that Eichel could return this month. In fact, given some of the reports saying that he’s been practicing in full, it could be as soon as Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche.

Now, I would like to put out there that it was not confirmed that he was playing against the Avalanche, but given how everything sounds and what people have said, it wouldn’t be ridiculous to think that his return could be next week.