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Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald
Well, consider that three of those magic beans are known quantities, maybe not. It's hilarious that this continually has to be pointed out, but the Sabres have gotten worse from the moment Jack Eichel arrived, not better. Does Eichel not have to accept the responsibility for some of that? I think there is a lot of burying of heads in the sand going on right now and people are not looking at the whole player. We're not getting a Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon here. There needs to be more to his game than scoring points that don't matter.
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Buffalo isn’t exactly the organization to look at to evaluate decisions. They tanked for McDavid, got Eichel instead. Already off to a bad start, everyone and their dog could see what they were doing. Well, Jack is now a Sabre and knows he basically has to lead this team out from the depths of hell. They did acquire ROR, but that wasn’t enough to put them over the top when you have garbage talent surrounding you. They never had the depth nor the defense to win games on a consistent basis. They had a fantastic start to the season one year and then crumbled. Doesn’t help that coaching was atrocious too at some point.
You’re absolutely right that Eichel should be accountable for some things. But, even the most elite players need another elite guy to get them going. Where would Draisaitl be without McDavid? Rantanen without MacKinnon? Would Pastrnak have had the same elite status if he were drafted in Arizona or Columbus, not able to play with Bergeron or Marchand? Would Panarin have been the same effective player he is without the help of Kane and Toews when he had entered the league?
Way too many what if’s and variables, so I’ll just say this: I don’t want another Iginla/Kipper situation, where we have two solid pieces and just cross our fingers. That’ll only get us so far, and probably embarrassed again by whatever team is on the East. Get Johnny a #1 center. Are there any other ones available? Nope, so it’s time we pony up for the one that is on the market, signed for 5 more years.