Michael Thomas Jersey As the Buffalo Sabres and Jack Eichel continue to work on a contract extension, Connor McDavid's historic $100 million deal continues to serve as a benchmark for big bucks.More than a month after NHL.com said the Sabres were hoping to lock up Eichel, their 20-year-old center, , which pays out $12.5 million per season, TSN's Darren Dreger reports that Buffalo "would be real lucky to get Cesar Ruiz Jersey Jack signed" at anything le s than $9.5 million per year.Dreger was discu sing the Eichel contract talks on WGR 550, , when he also speculated the Sabres forward's new deal will compare more to McDavid's contract than that of Leon Draisaitl, the Edmonton Oilers' other long-term investment -- Will Clapp Jersey , at that."The Sabres recognize that he's an iconic player," Dreger said of Eichel, per Nichols. "He's a cornerstone piece for the Buffalo organization, so maybe that number creeps up closer to 10 or just over 10 (million)." Eichel is entering the final season of his three-year contract with Zach Wood Jersey the Sabres. And outside of the big-money talk this summer, the young center's tone toward Buffalo, especially on Bob Pollard Jersey a long-term basis, appears to have shifted considerably since . The former second overall draft pick told his hometown paper, Lowell's , this week that in Buffalo "when we start winning."