Another player undergoes Jack Eichel’s neck surgery

In mid-November, newly acquired Vegas Golden Knights’ forward Jack Eichel underwent successful neck surgery in Denver and was expected to make a full recovery. On top of that, he stunned everyone on Thursday as he put on skates and went on the ice in Golden Knights’ gear. Ahead of the procedure, Eichel anticipated that the recovery time will take three months and anticipation is that he will join the Golden Knights some time after the Olympic Break.

Since everything went smoothly for agent Pat Brisson’s client, the businessman decided to suggest the same procedure for one of his other many clients.

On Friday, it was announced that Chicago Blackhawks forward Tyler Johnson underwent the same artificial disk replacement procedure as Eichel and is expected to return in three months.

Both players are in the only ones so far in the league to undergo artificial disk replacement procedure.

That was a huge point of contention with the Buffalo Sabres. After an eight-month saga in which Eichel wanted out of Buffalo as the Sabres preferred an anterior cervical discectomy fusion, while Eichel and his representatives preferred this ADR procedure, the discord led to the Sabres trading Eichel and a future third-round pick to the Golden Knights on Nov. 4 for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs and two picks. The Sabres did not want to see Eichel undergo the surgery, afraid it would be a major risk to his career : however, it worked out for the best and now Johnson followed suit.

It’s very encouraging for NHL players dealing with this type of serious injury.