Eichel (ankle) shed his walking boot Friday, though that does not mean that he's ahead of schedule, The Buffalo News reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to this latest report, Eichel is still wearing a brace on his left ankle. The 2015 Hobey Baker Award winner from Boston University sustained a high-ankle sprain Oct. 12, the eve of the season opener. Buffalo is off to a sluggish start without Eichel, who produced 56 points in 81 games as a rookie last season, having claimed only one win through six contests.