90 points with 11 games to go. Will he have his first 100 point season, I wonder.
Jack Eichel
- Thread starter Kshahdoo
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ORRFForever
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- Oct 29, 2018
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The BEST American player - non goalie.
Definitely our best all around forward, he's just an absolute beast. I think Quinn Hughes may have something to say about him being the best American though... it's a tossup probably.
But I've been saying for years that a healthy Jack Eichel is the best American center in the world. He tends to get underrated by stat watchers because he doesn't cheat for offense and he plays in a fairly conservative Vegas system, so he doesn't pile up points in the regular season.
He's also had injury issues that he often played through, further hurting his counting stats. A healthy Eichel in a run and gun system would be a consistent 110+ point player
But it's not his regular season scoring that sets him apart - it's his play in the playoffs. He's just one of those rare players who's skillset shines through as the games get tighter. He might have the most powerful stride in the league, he's just so effortless when transporting the puck through the neutral zone, and is Jagr like in the way he protects the down low. And he's become a rock defensively, with one of the longest sticks among centers in the league.
He was an absolute 2 way monster for us in the four nations, and was far and away Vegas's most dominant player during their cup run. Not to take anything away from Marchessault, but Eichel was robbed of a Conn Smythe. Marchy was clutch AF, but he was a passenger on that line - so many of his goals were just him receiving Eichel passes for wide open shots. Eichel assisted on 9 of his 13 goals, 6 of which were primary. And 5 of those primary assists were absolute dimes.
His 2023 playoff highlight reel is just nutty.
ORRFForever
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You're right. I forgot about Quinn.
I'm just curious about Eichel vs Matthews. As a Leaf fan, I wish Matthews was more like Eichel. Matthews is not tough or a playoff performer. Matthews is not clutch. Yet Eichel never gets the appreciation that Matthews does. Makes no sense to me.
- Jan 23, 2017
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If he finishes even one point above McDavid, I am going to start a main boards thread asking if Oilers made the wrong choice.
ORRFForever
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Eichel is a better pure athlete and play driver. He's a 200' thoroughbred who can elevate average linemates to elite levels.
Matthews is more skilled with a higher IQ, but he can't elevate his linemates like Jack, and relies more on his teammates to get the puck to scoring areas.
It's his relative lack of athleticism makes him less effective than Eichel as games tighten up (obviously he's a still an elite athlete but Jack is a unicorn). Which is why I've always preferred Jack.
ORRFForever
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Yup.
As a Leaf fan, I find it frustrating that Matthews always gets a pass while Marner gets dumped on for everything - God knows, I am guilty of it too. Anyway, we'll see in mid April if things have changed for Matthews, Marner and the Leafs.
I'm off to bed. Goodnight.
WarriorOfGandhi
Was saying Boo-urns
I don’t like to use the term hero lightly, but you, sir, are the greatest hero of our time
Divine
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Can't believe he's keeping pace with the great Mitch Marner
Fatass
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- Apr 17, 2017
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Eichel is a far better 200 foot player than McDavid. McDavid is more exciting when attacking with pick on stick.That will go over well.
As terrific as Eichel is, McDavid is... SPECIAL!!!!
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Eichel's counting stats also suffered from playing for Buffalo, and the lack of playoffs hurt his national media exposure. Most NHL fans didn't get to see him very often.
And the injuries mentioned really held him back early in his career. High ankles sprains in back to back seasons, one in each leg.
Matthews also came out of the gates hot in his rookie season, while Eichel was rehabbing one of his high ankle sprains in his sophomore season. It really took the national spot light off him.
He was neck and neck with Matthews the season before his big neck injury, top 10 in league wide scoring.
People used to laugh at me on these boards when I said he was a top 5C in the league. I hate Terry Pegula for being such an incompetent buffoon of an owner that Eichel demanded out.
WhataKnight
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- Jan 6, 2023
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I feel like I’m repeating myself, but “slightly less cerebral, noticeably more physical Patrice Bergeron.”
Eichel’s point totals have seemed to be a topic that flies a little under the radar in some circles once he started proving he had the effectiveness he was expected to display.
Eichel’s point totals have seemed to be a topic that flies a little under the radar in some circles once he started proving he had the effectiveness he was expected to display.
DickSmehlik
Registered User
Not to diminish what he’s accomplished but how many players have had secondary assists make up a higher point total than Eichel this season?
It has to be near the top.
It has to be near the top.
Here's the stats for A1 and A2.
NHL Stats
The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.
www.nhl.com
I guess Bratt is kind of close with 6 less points, and 8 less A2, but otherwise it's not close.
Matthews scored 4 goals his very first game and he can do no wrong ever since.
Eichel had a rather mediocre start (for a highly touted player) in part due to injuries. He has since turned into an incredible player who brings more than Matthews in almost all facets of the game.
But Matthews scored 4 his first game.
When you're defensively responsible you're more likely to be the one starting the play than finishing it.
SeanMoneyHands
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ORRFForever
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TheDawnOfANewTage
Dahlin, it’ll all be fine
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ORRFForever
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TheDawnOfANewTage
Dahlin, it’ll all be fine
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It’s fine. He used to play for Buffalo and it’s fine.
Seriously though, I was making the Eichel>Matthews argument back then and I’d say at least 2/3rds disagreed. Fair enough, the argument was always that on a better team he’d outperform, and that’s what’s happened.
Our Lady Peace
Registered User
Freak athlete he is. Buffalo squandered the greatest McDavid consolation prize (after losing that lottery in the first place). He was robbed of the Smythe in 2023 - showed us what a man possessed ready to shut up all the doubters after finally getting healthy looked like
I admit; it's weird seeing him in the top 5 in league scoring but based on his talent level, it's where he belongs. 4 Nations he steps up again
It's crazy that Vegas orchestrated this trade and landed a top 10 arguably top 5 C in the league who leads them to the promised land a whopping 2 years later
I admit; it's weird seeing him in the top 5 in league scoring but based on his talent level, it's where he belongs. 4 Nations he steps up again
It's crazy that Vegas orchestrated this trade and landed a top 10 arguably top 5 C in the league who leads them to the promised land a whopping 2 years later
