From the Ice Level Practice Report...
"He's very serious," rookie defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said. "He's passionate about the game and a great leader. Great guy and sick on the ice, of course. … He's a leader. I think he was born a leader. He's the guy who needs the 'C.'"
In every sense, Eichel has embraced the responsibilities that come with being a captain and the face of an organization. He's set the tone with this work in games and in practices and made it a point to further his impact in the community.
Through 31 games, it's all culminated into the best season of Eichel's young career. First, a look at the numbers:
• With 10 goals and 28 assists, he's on pace to record the first 100-point season for the Sabres since Pat LaFontaine and Alexander Mogilny did so in 1992-93. No Sabre has even reached the 90-point mark since Daniel Briere in 2006-07.
• Eichel's on pace for 74 points at even strength, which would rank third in franchise history behind LaFontaine and Mogilny's marks of 83 and 78, respectively, in 1992-93.
Here's the list of players who have eclipsed 74 even-strength points in a single season since the 2004 lockout: Connor McDavid (84 in 2017-18), Henrik Sedin (83 in 2009-10), Evgeni Malkin (75 in 2011-12) and Alexander Ovechkin (75 in 2007-08).
• All of this has come despite an uncharacteristically low shooting percentage of 7.2, two percent lower than Eichel's career average. He leads the NHL with 138 shots, and they've begun to fall as of late, with five of his 10 goals having come in his last three games.
What's attributed to the consistent production? Age and experience, of course, as well as healthy contributions from linemates Jeff Skinner, Sam Reinhart and Jason Pominville. But the first word that came to mind when Eichel was asked on Wednesday was "work."
"I feel like I've made a conscious effort to just try and work," he said. "I think that when you're working, things come from it. It's that and just trying to be confident with making plays, just let my instincts take over. Obviously when I'm moving my feet, I think I'm playing my best so for me, it's just about worrying about the next game, doing everything I can now to play my next game at the best of my ability.
"I would just say that. It's been more consistent this year where I've been happier with myself after games, where I'm not questioning my game as much. I know I've just recently started to score but I felt like I was due for it with the amount of chances I was getting."
Read the full story here.
Eichel also autographed No. 15 jerseys that will go on sale starting today at the Sabres Store. Proceeds will benefit the Courage of Carly Fund and Best Buddies New York. Replica jerseys are $189 and authentic jerseys are $209.
