The Boston Bruins continue to monitor the NHL trade market and like so many NHL teams, they’re still paying attention to the Jack Eichel saga with the Buffalo Sabres. Could a trade for the second overall pick at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft occur earlier than expected now?

This past Sunday, NHL Insider for The Fourth Period, David Pagnotta reported that at the earliest, Eichel wouldn’t be dealt until Labor Day (Sept. 6), and also was the first to break the news that, as of Sunday, the Sabres captain had not had surgery to repair a herniated disc. Of course, that surgery has been a gigantic bone of contention between Eichel, his representatives Peter Fish, and Peter Donatelli, and the Sabres. As Pagnotta’s sources told him, sources have confirmed to Boston Hockey Now that Eichel has not wavered on having the artificial disc replacement that the Sabres are steadfastly against still. That contention though, as Pagnotta’s sources told him, is not necessarily present on the NHL trade market in acquiring the former Boston University and 2015 Hobey Baker Award winner.

In the last week, two NHL sources close to the Eichel saga have confirmed to BHN that while things have been quiet with Eichel on the NHL trade front, there has been chatter that both Eichel and the Sabres decided they want this resolved ASAP and not let it drag into training camp.