Sabres center Jack Eichel could miss 6-8 weeks with high ankle sprain

The early returns on Jack Eichel's injury aren't good.

Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray told reporters Thursday that the star center could miss six to eight weeks with the left high-ankle sprain he suffered in Wednesday's practice.

It was a grim sight as the former No. 2 overall pick writhed around in pain on the ice and grabbed his ankle. It was a certainly a relief to the tortured fan base that the team's best player didn't suffer a worse fate, but if he misses the first two months of the season, the Sabres will be hard-pressed to make up that offense.

Making matters worse, Evander Kane and Kyle Okposo, the team's other top forwards, are also injured at the moment. Kane crashed hard into the boards during Thursday night's 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens and was transported to a local hospital with an unspecified injury.

Okposo, one of the big prizes in free agency, missed the opener with a knee injury.

The Sabres haven't qualified for the playoffs since 2011.