Sabres' Jack Eichel suffers ankle injury after nasty fall during practice

Their NHL season has yet to begin, but the Buffalo Sabres have already taken a hit after center Jack Eichel took a nasty spill on the ice and injured his left ankle during practice on Wednesday.

Later, the team announced the 19-year-old Eichel suffered a high ankle sprain, and said there was no timetable for his return.

The injury — which had Eichel writhing on the ice in pain and required him to be helped off the ice, unable to put any weight on his leg — occurred with less than 10 minutes left in practice on the eve of the Sabres' season opener against the Montreal Canadiens.

The No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft, Eichel had 24 goals and 32 assists in 81 games in his rookie year.

"It's the cusp and eve of starting a new season, one we are all looking forward too, and I think that's why it takes the wind out of the sails of the arena today," Bylsma said.