Buffalo Sabres Midseason Report Card: Jack Eichel
Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel has nearly reached the halfway point of his first NHL season – and it’s been a pretty good one so far for the youngster.
Through his first 40 NHL games, Eichel has notched a respectable 26 points – 13 goals, 13 assists. He’s a minus-8 — but many of his teammates are also falling in the minus side of things. Seven of Eichel’s 26 points – including four of his 13 goals – have come on the power-play.
Eichel has two game-winning goals this season and leads the Buffalo Sabres with 131 shots this season. He’s averaged exactly 19 minutes of ice time per game and has won 42.2% of his faceoffs.
Eichel is currently second on the Buffalo Sabres in scoring, behind only Ryan O’Reilly.
How does that compare to other NHL rookies?
Eichel is currently fourth in rookie scoring, behind only Chicago’s Artemi Panarin, Arizona’s Max Domi and Detroit’s Dylan Larkin — and it’s a close race. Domi, Larkin and Eichel were all within two points of each other as of January 6.
Eichel is tied for second among rookies in goals and fourth in assists. His seven power-play points are tied for third among rookies, behind Panarin and Shayne Gostisbehere.
The Buffalo Sabres rookie leads all NHL rookies in shots and is third among his fellow rookies in average time on ice per game. Darnell Nurse averages 21:08 each night, while Trevor van Riemsdyk is averaging 20:18.
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Based on all of that, what mid-season grade would you give the Buffalo Sabres rookie in the first half of his first-ever NHL season?
Personally, I’m giving him a A-.
Alright, maybe that’s a little harsh. But the thing is this: expectations were incredibly high for Eichel coming into his Buffalo Sabres premiere.
Now, I don’t expect him to work miracles. Eichel can only do so much with the team around him, which still has its struggling parts.
He certainly seems to be giving it his all – and is on a four-game point streak lately – and it’s great to see.
I’m not going to act like I’m not impressed. I am. Some of his moves have been surreal, whether they’ve resulted in goals by him, another player, or not at all. Eichel is one of those players that can make your jaw drop, make your head turn, and make you go “WOW. What… just…. happened?!?”
But it’s for that reason exactly what I’m not giving him a higher grade. Maybe that’s harsh or unfair of me, but I know he’s capable of even more. Nobody’s perfect and Eichel has the potential to really be an “elite” player in the years to come. That’s what I want to see.
What grade would you give Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel so far?