Jack Eichel is quietly becoming a top-5 player in the league

[GirardSpinorama]

I don't agree with that. I'd argue that MacKinnon is better right now, but in no way is it an entire "level" as you've put it. Eichel has a higher career PPG due to MacKinnon having a down year and a bit early on in his career.

With MacKinnon being older and having two extra years of experience on Eichel, I don't think it's that farfetched to assume that Jack will have a similar 2-year breakout that MacKinnon went through from 2017-18 and 2018-19. In fact, I think they are arguably a closer comparison than Eichel and Matthews are. Eichel and MacKinnon both excel in terms of scoring, playmaking, and transition offence. They would be both be in my Hart ballot if the season ended today.

I would argue the fact that it is widely acknowledged that Mack is better than Eichel puts them at a different level. If 50% of the people argued Eichel was better and 50% for Mack, then they would be on the same level.

 

[Moskau]

I could name 20 right off the bat with no hesitation and no one would even bat an eye.

Are we really going to count Pontus Aberg and Nic Petan?

 

[GoJetsGo55]

McDavid's production has always been great, but it definitely has improved further with Draisaitl getting better.

And that production during those years is far above what Eichel has been able to achieve thus far.

40G and north of 100 points > 28 goals and north of 80.

I mean I feel like I am taking crazy pills here.

Eichels highest point total is only 7 higher than McDavids highest assist total.

 

[SabresSharks]

Eichel isn't even close to being top 10 lol. You guys have to be joking. He's in the 30-40 range lol. People who just look at the points are being deceived. I could name 20 right off the bat with no hesitation and no one would even bat an eye. Anyone who thinks he's top 10 or even close to it is OVERRATING him badly.

"deep thoughts"

 

[member 311261]

And that production during those years is far above what Eichel has been able to achieve thus far.

40G and north of 100 points > 28 goals and north of 80.

I mean I feel like I am taking crazy pills here.

Eichels highest point total is only 7 higher than McDavids highest assist total.

I keep saying this...

Eich has seriously changed his game this year. His speed is on display all game now. I'm not joking when I'm saying he'd show you his speed maybe once a game in previous years. He was constantly playing like he was trying to set up a PP, even at 5 on 5.

 

[GoJetsGo55]

I keep saying this...

Eich has seriously changed his game this year. His speed is on display all game now. I'm not joking when I'm saying he'd show you his speed maybe once a game in previous years. He was constantly playing like he was trying to set up a PP, even at 5 on 5.

and I am saying that I don't buy that he's any better than McDavid because:

1) Small sample size
2) His best is still not better than McDavids previous seasons
3) His best is not better than McDavids current season

You can say that it's because of Draisaitl but that's already been proven false (given his 16-18 seasons) and the fact that everyone says that Draisaitl is just a product of McDavid.

 

[Spilot23]

Are we really going to count Pontus Aberg and Nic Petan?

Can't we to see that list where Matthews, Tavares and Marner ends up while Eichel (7th in points) is in top 30-40

 

[Wats]

Eichel isn't even close to being top 10 lol. You guys have to be joking. He's in the 30-40 range lol. People who just look at the points are being deceived. I could name 20 right off the bat with no hesitation and no one would even bat an eye. Anyone who thinks he's top 10 or even close to it is OVERRATING him badly.

Curious to see these 20 and how many Leafs there are on them.

 

[BowieSabresFan]

and I am saying that I don't buy that he's any better than McDavid because:

1) Small sample size
2) His best is still not better than McDavids previous seasons
3) His best is not better than McDavids current season

You can say that it's because of Draisaitl but that's already been proven false (given his 16-18 seasons) and the fact that everyone says that Draisaitl is just a product of McDavid.

Eichel isn't as good as McDavid, and probably never will be.

But Eichel is definitely a top 10 player in the league at the moment.

 

[GoJetsGo55]

Eichel isn't as good as McDavid, and probably never will be.

But Eichel is definitely a top 10 player in the league at the moment.

I absolutely agree.

 

[Panthaz89]

Unfortunately Dahlin has not been good this year. It wouldn't make a difference.

You need to stop...Dahlin has been pretty productive and the PP is a joke without him on the point. This is just stupid McDavid is clearly better than Eichel just because McDavid is only a PPG player vs the Sabres means nothing.

 

[JoeThorntonsRooster]

Eichel is better Than MacKinnon. You know how I can tell you don't watch Eichel play? Because you say that.

Eichel elevate players on the sabres? Eichel is the sabres.

Go check out offensive advanced stats. He is first in most of the categories.

What kind of offensive advanced stats are we talking about here?

 

[Beerz]

What kind of offensive advanced stats are we talking about here?

Please ignore our homers.

 

[Chainshot]

"I don't find Eichel physically attractive."

Swipe left? Swipe right?

 

[Thenameless]

Unfortunately Dahlin has not been good this year. It wouldn't make a difference.

If Dahlin was playing with McDavid, I suspect things would be different.

 

[couture23]

If Dahlin was playing with McDavid, I suspect things would be different.

Dahlin's poor play has nothing to do with Eichel. He has just looked shaky, often second-guessing himself and taking too many stupid penalties.

 

[Royal Thunder]

An Eichel thread turned into a McDavid thread, what a shocker

 

[ovythegiraffe]

Never followed him, but with a $10m cap hit, shouldn't he already be one?

 

[Chainshot]

An Eichel thread turned into a McDavid thread, what a shocker

Quiet you! Next thing you know it’ll be a Matthews thread!

 

[FloridaSabresFan]

I would argue the fact that it is widely acknowledged that Mack is better than Eichel puts them at a different level. If 50% of the people argued Eichel was better and 50% for Mack, then they would be on the same level.

Do you have links to this from experts?

 

[FloridaSabresFan]

If Dahlin was playing with McDavid, I suspect things would be different.

What a bizarre statement

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Do you have links to this from experts?

Who do you consider an expert?

 

[FloridaSabresFan]

Who do you consider an expert?

Anyone verified on twitter or on TV or employed in some sort of sports capacity.

You said widely acknowledged so it should be easy to find.


5 should do.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Quiet you! Next thing you know it’ll be a Matthews thread!

Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice

 

[Dirty Dog]

Never followed him, but with a $10m cap hit, shouldn't he already be one?

even with that faulty logic, no. There are 10 players with larger cap hits than eichel.