The first Winter Classic took place 10 years ago, when the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins in a snow-globe scenario that made the NHL the lead story on every sports highlight show on New Year's Day in 2008.

The event has largely been a success for the league, although it has been tough to match the beauty and drama of that first game, a 2-1 shootout victory for the Penguins, with Sidney Crosby shoveling the winning shot past Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller.

The Sabres return to the Winter Classic for the first time since then when they meet the New York Rangers Monday at 1 p.m. ET at Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets. Both teams will wear unique uniforms, and NBC will broadcast the game.

New York Rangers reveal 2018 Winter Classic jerseys (Photos) #NYR https://t.co/iXYF9RI4o5 pic.twitter.com/w2ushM2kWC

— Rangers Report (@ranger_fanly) November 24, 2017

The #Buffalo #Sabres’ jerseys for the 2018 Bridgestone #NHL #WinterClassic have been revealed.

Fill in the blank: The Winter Classic jerseys are ______. https://t.co/ik7E6hFrW9 pic.twitter.com/W7Lyouk9EO

— News 4 Buffalo (@news4buffalo) November 22, 2017

The Rangers have rebounded nicely after a sluggish start to the season, and they find themselves in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference with a 20-13-5 record. They are inside the NHL's playoff structure with 45 points, and they are within five points of the first-place New Jersey Devils.

The Sabres were expected to do well in Jack Eichel's third season with the team, and it appeared they might be ready to make a move toward the playoffs in the Atlantic Division. Instead, the Sabres have endured a nightmarish season that has them in last place in the Eastern Conference with a 10-20-8 record.

Any thought of the playoffs seems out of the question.

Still, a victory over the Rangers and their star goalie, Henrik Lundqvist, could give the Sabres a jolt that turns their season around.

Phil Housley loved the outdoors as a kid. As the Sabres ready for the Winter Classic, he's excited about the spectacle and his team's play. https://t.co/BbynHP9fHX

— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) December 30, 2017

The Sabres are struggling to score goals and keep them out of their own net. Through Friday night's games, they have scored 84 goals, which is the fewest in the league. They have allowed 126, and the New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes are the only teams that have allowed more. 

Eichel leads the Sabres in scoring with 15 goals and 20 assists in 38 games, while left wing Evander Kane is close behind with 15 goals and 19 assists.

Ryan O'Reilly has 24 points and ex-New York Islander Kyle Okposo has 17 points. 

The Sabres have been expecting more production from those players, and their depth players have not contributed enough.

https://twitter.com/SportsHLnews/status/937972733383716864

The Rangers are paced by Mats Zuccarello, who has eight goals and 21 assists. Center J.T. Miller and left wing Pavel Buchnevich both have 25 points. High-scoring defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk has 22 points in his first season with the Blueshirts, and so too does speedy left wing Chris Kreider.

However, Kreider is out because of a blood clot that was recently discovered in his right arm. That's a tough blow for head coach Alain Vigneault because Kreider's explosiveness gives him a chance to connect on a sudden scoring chance at any point.

The Rangers should have a huge advantage in goal, with Lundqvist near the top of his game. He has a 17-9-4 record, a 2.58 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.

Robin Lehner, the Sabres' top goaltender, is 9-14-5 with a 2.74 GAA and a .915 save percentage. 

Lundqvist has a 3-0-0 record in outdoor games, and his presence gives the Rangers plenty of confidence. He was 2-4-2 at the start of the season but has turned it around since then.

"He's been playing really well since about [the end October]," Rangers defenseman Marc Staal said, per Nicholas J. Cotsonika of the NHL.com. "Just playing very confident. He's competing really hard, and he looks like he's having some fun doing it. We've obviously reaped the rewards of that."

The Rangers are the better team, and if the Sabres go behind early, it doesn't appear they have the talent and depth to get the best of Lundqvist in the outdoor game.

                      

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Tickets to the Winter Classic are available through StubHub.

The Buffalo Sabres announced on Tuesday night they signed young superstar Jack Eichel to an eight-year contract extension worth $10 million per year.

🚨 We've agreed to terms with @Jack_Eichel11 on an 8-year extension with an AAV of $10 million. pic.twitter.com/9L8hLcVFzP

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 3, 2017

Eichel, 20, has been fantastic for the Sabres in his first two seasons, notching 48 goals and 65 assists in 142 games. His 57 points last season surpassed his rookie total by one point, albeit in 20 fewer games, as he suffered a high ankle sprain that cost him the first 21 games of the season.

He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft behind Connor McDavid. While Eichel hasn't been as transcendent as McDavid, who notched 30 goals and 70 assists last season alone, he's been one of the brightest stars from a strong draft class that has also seen players like Mitch Marner and Zach Werenski post impressive seasons in 2016-17.

Eichel is the centerpiece of a young Buffalo team that appears to be at least a season or two from making a playoff run but has some young and veteran pieces in place and should show improvement this season. With a new general manager in Jason Botterill, a new head coach in Phil Housley and a slew of new players, there likely will be an adjustment period for the Sabres.

One certainty, however, is that Eichel remains the team's most important player and a potential superstar in the NHL.

The Buffalo Sabres and center Jack Eichel are reportedly in the midst of negotiations regarding a contract extension that could top out at eight years, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com).

Citing a person familiar with the negotiations, the AP reported discussions about a new deal for the 2015 No. 2 overall pick have been ongoing for the last month. 

"We are talking and I would say that we will be continuing to talk," Eichel's agent, Peter Fish, told the AP in a text message. 

Eichel is currently under contract on the three-year rookie deal he signed prior to the 2015-16 season. Next year, he's scheduled to earn a base salary of $832,500 with a $92,500 signing bonus payout and incentives worth more than $2.8 million. 

If Eichel were to play out the remainder of that pact without inking an extension, he would become a restricted free agent next summer.

But at this juncture, the Sabres should do everything in their power to lock him up long term. 

In his second year with the Sabres, Eichel led the team with 57 points, including 24 goals and 33 assists. 

It's unclear what the financial terms of an extension would look like, but if Eichel does ink a long-term deal with Buffalo, his salary will be compared to Conor McDavid's after the 2015 No. 1 overall pick and reigning NHL MVP signed an eight-year, $100 million extension in July. 

Eichel likely won't command $12.5 million annually, but he's due for a hefty raise considering he's still just 20 years old and likely won't hit his prime until the end of the decade. 

It seems impossible to discuss NHL trade rumors these days without bringing up Matt Duchene's name.

The dynamic center has been on the trade block for the past year, but he is still a member of the Colorado Avalanche. Will he be for long? That is still up in the air as the NHL offseason moves into its quietest period.

With that in mind, let us delve into the latest buzz around the league.

       

Duchene Staying Put?

It appeared a certainty that Duchene would be moved during the past few weeks, as general managers had plenty of time to talk about the league's top trade target because of the expansion and entry drafts.

However, despite the animosity and damaged relationship between Duchene and a team that is sure to have developed throughout this process, it looks like the 26-year-old may not land with a new franchise anytime soon.

According to BSN Denver's Adrian Dater, Colorado general manager Joe Sakic is prepared to keep Duchene for the long haul:

Nothing imminent on Duchene. Solid chance he returns. Sakic won't be bullied. Enjoy your summer

— Adrian Dater (@adater) July 4, 2017

Duchene has two years remaining at a $6 million cap hit before he hits unrestricted free agency, so his contract is a decent investment for a contending team, even considering the steep price Sakic is requesting.

The Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets are apparently two of those squads fitting that criteria, as Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch recently reported that each team has had personnel-related talks with the Avalanche:

Told #Avs have asked for Gabriel Carlsson from #CBJ. Not sure if that Carlsson instead of Ryan Murray, or Carlsson and Murray. Also ...

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 2, 2017

... that #Bruins have had talks with #Avs regarding Duchene. Assumption is 20-year-old Brandon Carolo would be key piece leaving Boston.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 2, 2017

Gabriel Carlsson is a big defenseman, 6'4" and nearly 200 pounds, who can skate and create some offense. He was Columbus' first-round pick in 2015, and he even recorded an assist over the two games he played with the club last year.

Carlsson is likely the Blue Jackets' No. 2 prospect behind Pierre-Luc Dubois, so there is a reason why they are hesitant to move him for Duchene, especially if that package also includes Ryan Murray. Columbus has over $12 million in space and Josh Anderson and Alexander Wennberg need new contracts, so adding Duchene would be a tight squeeze.

On the ice, though, Duchene would fit perfectly with the speed Columbus played at last season. He is lightning fast and has excellent hands, and he would assume the top center role the Blue Jackets need to fill in a rugged Metropolitan Division. Their window to win looks to be in the next two to three years, so the Blue Jackets may pull the trigger sometime this summer if the Duchene price can be met.

The Bruins are a solid team, although the offer Portzline refers to may not be enough.

Brandon Carlo is a promising player at 20 years old, but Boston would have to drain its prospect pool to get Duchene without giving up Charlie McAvoy. A trade would likely include either Jake DeBrusk and Jakub Zboril along with top goaltending prospect Malcolm Subban.

Duchene would fit in well behind Patrice Bergeron, but the Bruins are not close enough to contending to take stock out of their future.

So what happens with Duchene? If Dater is correct, then Sakic may just hold out for better offers, even if that lasts into the upcoming season.

Considering Colorado is not likely to get much better, it makes sense for Sakic to not rush into selling a top asset and wait until teams get more desperate closer to the trade deadline. Duchene's value may never be lower after his 41-point 2016-17 season, so hoping he bounces back to raise his stock could be a smart bet.

On the other hand, having a disgruntled Duchene does not benefit either party. The longer this situation drags out, the more of a distraction it becomes for the organization. Sakic is walking a fine line, and he better be careful not to be too stubborn before this blows up in his face.

         

Kane's Time in Buffalo Near the End?

Another name that constantly arises in trade discussions is that of Buffalo Sabres winger Evander Kane, and it sounds like it will stay that way for the foreseeable future.

On TSN 1290's Afternoon Ride, NHL insider Darren Dreger noted there has been talk about Kane from other NHL clubs but that it seems likely he stays put. Dreger did delve into the type of teams that inquired about the talented winger:

"I know that the interest that has been expressed to Buffalo in Evander Kane primarily came from teams in that win-now mode. I can't identify the teams because I don't know the identity of the teams. 

"But there's been tire-kicking, I would say, for the last few months now with Kane in Buffalo and nothing has materialized, so it may take awhile longer."

Outside of Jack Eichel and Rasmus Ristolainen, it seems no Sabre is a lock to contribute toward the team's long-term goals, with a new regime of general manager Jason Botterill and head coach Phil Housley in place. 

Shortly after he and Housley were hired, Botterill spoke highly of Kane's game, but he did not firmly commit to keeping Kane in Buffalo, per John Vogl of the Buffalo News:

"We're always looking at different ways to improve our team, but Evander, Phil Housley's had some great conversations with Evander already. We know how talented of a player he certainly is. From a scoring aspect I think it was 25 even-strength goals last year. How we want to play, he can certainly be a force.

"Our dialogue and interaction with Evander has been positive so far, and we'll see where it goes."

Breaking into the league as an 18-year-old after being drafted No. 4 overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009, Kane has certainly shown flashes of his exceptional blend of speed and skill. He went off for 57 points in 74 games in his third season, but he has yet to exceed 43 points since.

Kane has the ability to produce like a perennial 60-point, top-line player, but he is scoring at a second-line rate. Few players possess the creativity and guts to complete this ridiculous pass Kane made six years ago:

If a team, whether that be Buffalo or a contender, can unlock that player, then Kane could become a difference-maker.

The longer Kane goes untraded, though, the lower his value will become. He only has one year left on his deal at a $5.25 million hit, so any team acquiring him risks losing him after just one campaign. That will likely end up netting Buffalo less than Kane is worth.

Still, Kane is a player to watch this summer and into next season. He may not be in Buffalo's plans for its rebuild, but he could become a major contributor for a team like the San Jose Sharks, who are in contention out West and have a hole at wing following the loss of Patrick Marleau.

        

Statistics are courtesy of hockeydb.com. Salary information is courtesy of CapFriendly.