BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Jack Eichel's representatives released a statement Friday night saying "the process is not working," in further opening a deepening rift between the Buffalo Sabres captain and the team.

In an email to The Associated Press, agents Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli contradicted general manager Kevyn Adams by saying the Sabres went against their own medical staff's recommendation in determining artificial disk replacement surgery was required to repair a herniated disk that sidelined the player for the final two months of the season.

The agents also wrote they fully anticipated Eichel would be traded before the start of the NHL's free agency period, which opened on Wednesday.