Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ1532
OutOfTheCube, how has Eichel done this year? Seems to have put up the points quite well, but how has he progressed? As expected? Better? Worse?
I'm also interested to see where you think the Sabres could improve going forward.
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I've been pleased -- there's been ups and downs like any rookie season, but overall he's adjusted well. All the games I've watched he's routinely been the best player on the ice for either team, dominant posession player, fast, smart... he's got the whole package. And would have at least 10 more points if his linemates could put pucks in the net on any kind of consistent basis (Kane...). I'd say his point totals might be a little under expectations (I was thinking around 60 for the year) but he's progressed very well.
Going forward it's about just growing on defense and maybe getting a useful winger in there. O'Reilly, Eichel, and Reinhart have been our best offensive players by a mile and they're all centers. Getting a kid like Laine or Tkachuk would be excellent. And if not them, keep working on defense and grab Chychrun. Fortunately, Lehner looks like the real deal in net, which is a big weight off the shoulders going forward. A full season of him next year (hopefully) will give a better indication where the team is at.