Eichel talks playing with Hall, looks ahead to 2020-21

Jack Eichel spends his downtime watching hockey, picking apart of the games of his fellow elite players and seeing what he can add to his own repertoire.
When word broke in October that the Sabres had signed Taylor Hall to a one-year deal, Eichel was just as excited as the fanbase.

"I think Hallsy's an interesting player," Eichel said. "He's somebody who obviously has super high-end talent, but I think one thing that goes unnoticed is his work ethic. He's able to track down a lot of pucks, he's hard on the forecheck, he can be physical at times. I think he creates a lot by himself by just how fast he is, how strong he is on the puck.
"I think it's going to be really important for our team to get a guy like that. I think it'll be good in all aspects of the game."

Eichel looked ahead to the season during a Zoom session with the media on Wednesday, one day before the Sabres were scheduled to convene for the start of training camp at KeyBank Center. The Sabres captain echoed recent comments made by general manager Kevyn Adams and coach Ralph Krueger in expressing optimism about the potential of a revamped roster and competitive realignment.
The Sabres will play in the East Division with Boston, New Jersey, the New York Islanders, the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh, and Washington, with eight games against each team. Eichel, by extension, can expect to see healthy doses of names like Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, and Patrice Bergeron.
Eichel - who has averaged a point per game against those teams last season - said he is excited for the challenge.
"It's going to be a heck of a schedule," he said. "I think it's a great challenge for our group. If you look at the way we played last year, we had a lot of really tight games with some of these teams. I find whenever we're playing top competition it can bring out the best in us as a group. So, I think we can look at this as a great opportunity and a great challenge for us. And I'm excited for it."

Buffalo will have reinforcements in the form of Hall and other offseason additions, a group that includes veteran centers Eric Staal and Cody Eakin and could also include 2019 first-round pick Dylan Cozens. Krueger said he expects the newcomers to better aid the Sabres' ability to roll lines and match up with opposing teams, particularly on the road when opponents have the first change.
Those players join a group that believes it made strides last season under Krueger, a feeling Eichel emphasized on the eve of camp.
"First of all, whenever you have a guy like Ralph leading your team, I think it's huge for the whole group," he said. "He's an incredible person, and an incredible coach. I think he brings a lot. And he brings a special dynamic to the group in terms of being able to bring us in when need be and pump us up.
"I think he has a special way of connecting with the group and connecting with guys individually. I just think his leadership, his communication style and the way he relates to us is so important. He did such a great job of it last year in terms of getting the culture to a certain standard, and having us play to a certain standard, and trying to develop an identity as a team. I think his second year, we're obviously looking to make a lot jumps with that."