Motivated to be better, Sabres center Jack Eichel called his first two NHL seasons as being "mediocre" upon arriving at training camp last month.
There's nothing substandard about the eight-year, $80 million contract extension the 20-year-old center agreed to Tuesday.
The deal, which carries an average annual value of $10 million, was reached two days before the Sabres open the season by hosting the Canadiens.