Jack Eichel C VGK Sat 12/23/17 10:30 PM
Jack Eichel
C VGK
Eichel recorded two assists, two shots and a plus-2 rating during Saturday's 4-2 loss to Carolina.
EDGE Analysis
The two-point showing improves Eichel to six goals, seven assists and 37 shots through his past 10 games, and the hot stretch has him well on his way to a career-best offensive showing. With Buffalo struggling to take a step forward again this season, there might continue to be inconsistent stretches ahead for 21-year-old pivot, but expect his final numbers to check out as high-end marks when it's all said and done in April.
Jack Eichel C VGK Sat 12/23/17 12:45 AM
Jack Eichel
C VGK
Eichel registered a pair of goals on five shots Friday, pacing the Sabres to a 4-2 home win over the Flyers.
EDGE Analysis
A gifted playmaker, Eichel recorded his first career hat trick against the Hurricanes last Friday, only to go scoreless with a minus-3 rating in the subsequent contest facing the Bruins. Fortunately, it didn't take him long to get right back on track. Eichel has amassed a whopping 117 shots through 35 games this season, and he's once again converting on more than 10 percent of his attempts. He's been through growing pains with a struggling Buffalo franchise, but as the second overall pick in the 2015 draft, the best is yet to come.
Jack Eichel C VGK Sat 12/16/17 12:10 AM
Jack Eichel
C VGK
Eichel scored three goals, added an assist and registered 11 shots during Friday's 5-4 overtime loss to Carolina.
EDGE Analysis
With young stars garnering attention throughout the league, and Buffalo struggling again this season, it's easy to forget just how good Eichel is. Friday's showing was a ripe example and reminder of his upside. His fantasy setup with the Sabres remains lackluster, at best, as the center has registered just three secondary assists through 33 games. Still, it also wouldn't be shocking if this offensive outburst kick-started a hot stretch for the 21-year-old American.
Jack Eichel C VGK Mon 12/11/17 3:13 AM
Jack Eichel
C VGK
Eichel racked up 10 PIM and was a minus-3 in Sunday's overtime loss to the Blues.
EDGE Analysis
It was a frustrating night for Eichel, who was on the ice for all three goals against, including the overtime winner in which Vladimir Tarasenko blew right past him. He did have points in three straight contests entering Sunday, but the young center posted a minus-6 rating in back-to-back overtime losses. Eichel is an automatic roll every game, and the 26 PIM are a nice bonus this season, but the Sabres overall struggles are leading to lackluster PIM and power-play totals for the 21-year-old. If the team can build off this recent strong stretch, Eichel will be one to watch in the second half.
Jack Eichel C VGK Sat 12/9/17 12:23 AM
Jack Eichel
C VGK
Eichel recorded an assist, a minus-2 rating and six shots in a 3-2 overtime loss against the Blackhawks on Friday.
EDGE Analysis
The 21-year-old has points in the last three games, but he remains off his impressive pace from 2016-17 where he posted 57 points in 61 games. He also has a minus-8 rating, making him a reliability in that category. Eichel is also off his shots on goal pace from last season, but he could record a career high in that column if he stays healthy.
Jack Eichel C VGK Wed 12/6/17 10:05 AM
Jack Eichel
C VGK
Eichel netted his eighth goal of the season and added a helper in Tuesday's win over the Avalanche.
EDGE Analysis
The goal came on an empty net, but they all count the same in the end. Eichel now has a point in each of the last five games the Sabres have scored in. He's been shooting more recently and there are signs that he's about to heat up. Eichel hasn't been a bad fantasy forward this season with 22 points (eight goals) through 28 contests, but he's certainly capable of doing more. Keep him rolling, as he appears to be heading in the right direction.
Jack Eichel C VGK Fri 11/24/17 10:42 PM
Jack Eichel
C VGK
Eichel found the back of the net during Friday's 3-1 win over Edmonton.
EDGE Analysis
The 21-year-old center now has a goal in two straight games, giving him 7 on the season, along with 19 points. He may not be lighting up scoresheets every night like so other young phenoms, but Eichel continues to be a solid and consistent contributor.
Jack Eichel C VGK Mon 11/20/17 12:13 PM
Jack Eichel
C VGK
Eichel will be playing with Zemgus Girgensons and Jason Pominville on a newly-formed line Monday against Columbus, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Eichel was most recently playing with Evander Kane and Sam Reinhart, but both have moved up to the top line with Ryan O'Reilly. There's some debate about whether Eichel's line is the second or the third, but the bottom line is that head coach Phil Housley is trying to send a message. Eichel hasn't produced like the elite goal scorer he should be, and the Sabres offense is among the league's worst. It's hard to see Johan Larsson's line with Kyle Okposo and Benoit Pouliot get more ice time than Eichel's line, but the Sabres are experimenting with all sorts of different looks to see what works. Girgensons may be able to open up the ice with his size and strength, and Pominville may force opposing defenses to pay attention to him, which could open up some ice for Eichel. He remains a valuable commodity across all fantasy leagues, but may not be worth starting until he and the Sabres figure out how to score more goals.
Jack Eichel C VGK Wed 11/15/17 12:09 AM
Jack Eichel
C VGK
Eichel posted a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime loss to Pittsburgh.
EDGE Analysis
After assisting on an Evander Kane goal in the first period, Eichel potted an unassisted tally just 16 seconds into the second to end an eight-game goal drought. Both of Eichel's points in this one came at even strength, as the highly-skilled 21-year-old is still sitting on just one power-play point after topping 20 in each of his first two seasons. If Eichel can solve his woes with the extra man, it won't be long until he's in the conversation with the game's elites.
Jack Eichel C VGK Sat 11/11/17 12:34 AM
Jack Eichel
C VGK
Eichel's minus-3 in Friday's 4-1 loss to Florida was his lowest rating of the season.
EDGE Analysis
Eichel has usually been immune to the Sabres' struggles at preventing goals, but Friday was an exception, as he was on the ice for all four of the Panthers' goals and he was shut out on the score sheet. He's the best talent on Buffalo's roster, and nights like this won't happen often for the young star.