Thanks for the link. Wow, this is way beyond my understanding and so won't comment on that aspect of it. Suffice to say nobody here would know what surgery option should or oought to be pursued.
That said a few things:
1) In doubt, it should be the employees decision. It is their life, their back, their risk, and the risk can be substantial with such surgery.
2)Its plausibly understandable if an org paying for a prized asset wants some deliberation to possibly consider less risky procedure so that X player remains an asset, and remains able to play.
3) To that end the best play Buffalo can make is providing alternative referrals just so Eichel can look at other opinion. But ultimately Eichels decision. The dilemma of course being Eichel is no more able to make such inormed determination than any of us.
4) Finally what a debacle, terrible problem to have, and to have to consider options like this. My own tendency would be to defer any procedure that could end up impacting me severely. I do, and have opted for less evasive procedures. I have a herniated/compressed disc(s) as well so somewhat familiar with this. In my instance I've been able to mitigate with daily back exercises some of which are difficult.
