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

[Doohickie]

The Sabres haven't had a player like this since GP.

And they haven't had a rookie like Olofsson since Rick Martin.

 

[Doohickie]

how many more points would Eichel have this season if he had draisaitl or Pastrnak, or rantanen, or Marner on his wing?

Ah, but now he has Olofsson on his wing...

 

[xECK29x]

Personally he really opened my eyes with his play today, always knew he was special but wow

 

[Doohickie]

Isles fan coming in peace.

I'm impressed. He's scary good.

Holy shit, you even speak our language!

 

[Doohickie]

Dahlin is at his best when he is controlling the play with the puck on his stick. Same as Eichel. Would be best if they are not on the ice at the same time except on the PP

But.... they do tend to play well together. On the ice. At the same time.


Just sayin'.

 

[Demandedace]

Boy, if Eichel could manage to bring the Sabers back to the playoffs that would be huge

 

[Doohickie]

Boy, if Eichel could manage to bring the Sabres back to the playoffs that would be huge

Well that's the expectation, isn't it?

 

[Tage2Tuch]

Ah, but now he has Olofsson on his wing...

Yes but as you know he’s 7th rd draft pick in his rookie season playing along side this version. Of jack on the top line and PP unit yet still had 17 less points. Don’t get me wrong his career and season prodouction is tremendous and there’s no doubt he’s been the second best Sabre but there is a drastic gap in talent and as an overall player so as a linemates it’s not as big of an assist as say compared to other top scoring stars/linemates such as ....Marchand/Pastrnak/Draisaitl/ and even though he hasn’t played much this season Rantanen.

Notice how those guys Rantanen aside due to injury (but usually not aside as he does this too when healthy) are right near the other in points. It’s because they’re all elite too. Olofsson isn’t or he wouldn’t be that far behind in points despite being glued to him all year when he’s in this mode. Even when Thornton went into beast mode cheechoo managed 50 goals. Answers lee scored 40 twice with Tavares, what did Connor Sherry do with Crosby? So just examples that when riding along with a a guy doing well, WILL help your cause greatly but at the end of the day the one superstar will be quite a bit ahead of them unless their closer to the same level like my earlier examples of elite guys at the top of this post.

As for Olofsson being the best rookie on the sabres since RM well ....I’d suggest that even just last year an 18 year old Rasmus Dahlin having a historic season ahead of Bobby Orr as the second best 18 yr old ever averaging 21 mins a night, and a corsi rating of 57 in all situations, with 9G 44 Pts on a poor team all while being on one of the lowest scoring, worst teams in the NHL. (not to mention getting to be on their top power play unit and having to learn the new ice surface in the NHL and culture in North America on the fly while playing in the best league, a mans league as a kid, .....was OKAY.) lol. I am aware of Olofssons career totals and I’m not suggesting he’s a PP specialist but he unlike Dahlin last has gotten that time as a forward while riding with a better then ever Eichel as well even at even strength on the top line. Also it’s been just half a season for him. It’s really hard to compare forward to defensemen as well, apples to oranges there by age also is a factor for Dahlin so I think we ought to wait to see if he’s going to be better then him since were only 34 games in if you’re going to compare him to 1/3rd if the FC-Rick Martin Of course. Olofsson very well could be when it’s said and done.


(Edit- I wrote you this unaware you’ve been following Buffalo because I figured this was just s “see he now has a top player to play with top on his wing- Response” and by all means he has helped jack too in ways with his finish, let’s not get it twisted.

 

[Tage2Tuch]

Well that's the expectation, isn't it?

I don’t really know who expects one guy to bring a team to the playoffs when mcdavids only done that once is the four previous years WITH drai...

NHL isnt the NBA. Eichel plays 1/3rd a game, 2/3rds he is on the bench. Is this sabres team good enough 2/3rds of the time to hang in there and be better then half the league? Which is the requirement now, No, ....probably not. That’s being generous too.

So this means he has to be super human for the 1/3rd of the time he does play in order for them to even have a shot. It shouldn’t be “the expectation” when the greatest player in the world and a guy who’s lead the league in scoring most of the year TOGETHER haven’t been able to do it more then once in the 4 seasons prior (we will see if they can this year, they’ve won just 2 of there last 9 now)

And just HOW many points did Draisaitl and mcdavid have last year combined? 208 was it? And they STILL didn’t make it. So yeah, one guy or event two at an inane scoring rate can’t even guarantee you’ll be there. That’s two Eichels that didn’t make it, so I really don’t know how JUST ONE Eichel taking a poor team to the show is “the expectation.” That’s why poster said before it would be amazing if he did it.

And if you’re going to say “well Matthews did”, no....Matthews Never took the leafs there as much as that was the narrative. He was joined by Marner, and nylander in the same season to an already solid foundation of players/veterans with a new starting goalie who’s arguably a top five goalie in the league. That KIND of HELPED and if you tell me “that team was dead last before those four amazing players came!” The year prior, that’s true. That’s because it was ONLY them at that time. When those four arrived the others then got to be complimentary players which is where they were best suited all along, thus all of them together in 2017 barely squeaked in that year and even as it is have yet to gain home ice or win a round in the playoffs. That’s a not a shot Toronto either, it’s just more proof to my point that it takes more then 1, 2 or even a few players.

Hockey is a team sport.

 

[authentic]

Caught the Sabres game earlier then watched this video...



I honestly think he may be the 2nd best player between him and MacKinnon.

 

[BrockLobster]

But i thought he wasnt even in the conversation with auston matthews??

 

[Panthaz89]

The top 5 offensive players in the league thread deserves a bump with the posters in there that people putting Eichel as a top 5 offensive threat was laughable.

 

[GOALOFSSON]

Caught the Sabres game earlier then watched this video...



I honestly think he may be the 2nd best player between him and MacKinnon.

And that vid actually omits his most recent goals, including some nice ones.

 

[Tage2Tuch]

May not work as well as you think as both players need the puck to thrive

Well then ...it’s a good thing that there’s plenty of room on the ice for a defensemen and forward to share the puck. I mean really, that’s like suggesting Lidstrom and yzerman/federov wouldn’t of worked and then later Lidstrom Datysuk/zetterberg wouldn’t of been able to thrive ...Want more? Hedman with Stamkos, Kuch, Point yet they managed to hold it together ok to get 62 wins, almost win a cup a few years later. Doughty w/ Kopitar two cups later.

Not saying Dahlin or Eichel are on that level yet (of course) but if that’s where they got one day in the future, of course it could and should work out.

So the fact they excel with the puck on their stick isn’t a big deal when ones a damn, and the other is a forward.

Eichel doesent need to be puckhog to be successful. He’s made a career out of getting elite assist totals on the lowest scoring teams in the league. He’s not a puckhog he just happens to be talented enough to get the puck a lot and when he has it, he’s talented enough to keep it. Or it’s in the Teams best interest keeping it on his stick while gaining access into the O-zone As it has both the best chance of working/highest potential to lead to a scoring opportunity. The difference is this year as you probably know Is this he’s shooting in those prime scoring opportunities rather then passing it all the time.

 

[Panthaz89]

And that vid actually omits his most recent goals, including some nice ones.

the one against the Preds was the best of the season for him...I couldn't even tell he shot it since the release was so fast and in the middle of a move.

 

[Tage2Tuch]

The top 5 offensive players in the league thread deserves a bump with the posters in there that people putting Eichel as a top 5 offensive threat was laughable.

Be easy on those souls, they either didn’t want to think it was possible or were completely oblivious to his progress which had they just looked at all was linear from the start.

Some confused my homerism to just that, oh “ he’s this huge Eichel fan, I mean I don’t watch jack Eichel myself but since he’s this huge Eichel fan he must be exaggerating this guy tenfold.” they just didn’t know what I was trying to tell them. He was passing waaay too many glorious opportunities in seasons past to players with incompetent offensive abilities. The amount of posts, fanned on scoring attempts was at the magnitude of something I hadn’t ever seen watching the game almost 30 years. This is why I told these people his point totals could of always been so much higher had it not been for circumstance, surroundings and injury. I mean every stat player gets a ton of chances that don’t go in but this was ridiculous because despite always dominating transition and offensive zone possession numbers, this year one if the main differences is that HE IS taking it more into his own hands whilst learning the ropes as a captain last year, then turning into this season a more Complete all around player in his own end.

I’ve heard everything there is to hear about this guy the last few years, I’ve seen him lose polls to about twenty players that at least twenty guys where about over half wouldn’t be considered in his league right now. I’ve heard flat out ridiculous comments like this, I won’t name the usernames even though I remember all of them who said the following but out of respect I won’t. And yeah not going to list even a quarter of them it’d take too long, but these are some of my favourites.




“Overrated diva. Will crack 70 points once, MAYBE twice in his career.”

“60 point jack” was a common nickname. I guess those users forgot he only played in around that many games his second and third years, lol.

“Glorified narcissist who drove ROR and all his coaches out of town not allowing ROR to be the number one c.”

To this guy I simply said “won’t be touching on the coaches part would be too easy but he actually went to go cheer ROR on and was in attendance in his hometown (basically) for game seven of the finals last year telling the media he gets to see a team he liked as a kid or his “good friend” lift a cup so he will be happy either way. And more specifically if he’s a narcissist then why does he get so excited when all of his teammates score, or get so many assists, or best yet put ALL the blame on himself the last three seasons on locker clean out day and when the media suggested that he was taking it too rough on himself he shut them down talking bout his responsibility with the contract and c.”


It was interesting times and I told them all this day would come. Of course I’m not getting too ahead of myself he’s still got a lot to prove in his career, so I don’t think that as an Eichel fan I should act like he’s already won an art ross or a cup or anything like that.

Understand though with all the crap I’ve heard the last few years while watching the potential and linear improvement in production (while they never did)... IT IS at the very least somewhat validating there’s now posters calling him a hart trophy favourite almost half way through the season. I’ll take that. I just am perplexed by their absence in this thread all of the sudden though. That has me at the very least curious I guess you could say.

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

If Buffalo makes the playoffs then he's the Hart winner no doubt. Having an unreal season considering what he has to work with (no offense sabres fans lol).

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

I dont have any point on the topic. I notice the incorrect statement of "15 games" and "consistency" in the same sentence. I pointed out that 15 games is not a definition of consistency. It's a definition of hot-streak. I could not care less about the discussed player. Show me the same mistake about any other player and I will write the same message there.

And I'd say you can't see the forest for the trees if that's what you've spent X number of posts arguing. You claim no bias, but seriously, you're completely ignoring all the evidence to.. argue against one poster who claimed that Eichel is playing more consistently? And highlighted his scoring in 15 (now 16) games in a row as evidence of that? That's your point, that 15 games in a row with a point doesn't equal consistency? Sure man, great point, moving on.

Dude's a top 5 player in the league. Top 3 in becoming more and more debatable.

 

[Tage2Tuch]

Some of Eichels faults in the past have almost completely disappeared this year. He’s found out how to be engaged in the defensive zone and his a puck hound in the offensive zone. Jack is doing absolutely everything you want from your 1c — including the leadership.

Having a true threat in Olofsson opens up Ice for Eichel too — as seen on that goofy STL goal. Teams are terrified of that killer Eichel > Olofsson one timer coupled with his tenaciousness on the puck that he’s creating all of these opportunities. This is not a fluky streak, Eichel is absolutely dominating every single game over the last 45 days.

Agreed but it’s actually been longer then 45 days, perhaps not to this extent but the major turn around in his defensive game happened last year when he took the C. Thats both when I, others and media personalities who have said bad things about his defensive game in the past like nick Kypreos, John Shannon, Doug McLean, Ray Ferraro, Rob Ray/Biron, praised the difference. It’s just been more consistent this year, and easier to notice when he’s been getting more talk of course.

Whenever Eichel touches the puck it seems he can score. The only thing is that the last few years he has had a bad tendency in 3 vs 3 OTs to make bad plays that result in direct odd man rushes and losses.

God if Cozens pans out and we can throw out another top 6, 60+ point center the forwards will be nasty.

In fairness they don’t really train you for 3 on 3 when you’re an elite level prospect though.

That is unless you played Junior A in Canada where they have had 3 on 3 after five mins of 4 on 4 in OT for about 20 years, and are names like Travis Zajac, Justin Schultz, Tyson Jost, Kyle Turris, Taro Hirose, Dante Fabbro but those aren’t really elite, elite guys.... and those few are only just some of them, theres obviously others but named those just because they were ones I watched regularly in the BCHL, two of which I worked for and and got to ride with on trips.

 

[The Kingslayer]

I think hes already a Top 5 player right now.

 

[MayDay]

Eichel’s problems in 3-on-3 OT seem to stem from him feeling it’s all on him to make something happen, and as a result he sometimes stays out too long and overextends, rather than going off for a change when he should.

As a result, he’s highly likely to either make a great play to win you the game, or lose you the game on a bad play because he’s gassed. Either way, it seems most Sabres’ OT games end in OT, and not many make it to the shootout anymore.

 

[gallagt01]

Jack's not exactly being quiet about it anymore. What a run.

 

[Ajaton Azer]

I think that Jack Eichel has the edge over other players on physical qualities, so he can judge the play better than others only by using his hearing instead of seeing what is happening. Trophy ears for great success.

 

[member 298589]

But i thought he wasnt even in the conversation with auston matthews??

Tone aside, as a Leafs fan I would trade Matthews for Eichel without hesitation right now. And "right now" may be removed as a qualifier if the current season sample keeps up.

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

Agreed but it’s actually been longer then 45 days, perhaps not to this extent but the major turn around in his defensive game happened last year when he took the C. Thats both when I, others and media personalities who have said bad things about his defensive game in the past like nick Kypreos, John Shannon, Doug McLean, Ray Ferraro, Rob Ray/Biron, praised the difference. It’s just been more consistent this year, and easier to notice when he’s been getting more talk of course.




In fairness they don’t really train you for 3 on 3 when you’re an elite level prospect though.

That is unless you played Junior A in Canada where they have had 3 on 3 after five mins of 4 on 4 in OT for about 20 years, and are names like Travis Zajac, Justin Schultz, Tyson Jost, Kyle Turris, Taro Hirose, Dante Fabbro but those aren’t really elite, elite guys.... and those few are only just some of them, theres obviously others but named those just because they were ones I watched regularly in the BCHL, two of which I worked for and and got to ride with on trips.

Your words per post has to be the highest on this site by a mile. Congrats.