Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights are going into Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals up 3-1. They have the opportunity to capture their 1st Stanley Cup in their young existance in the NHL. What feels even weirder writing this article is it seems not that long ago on Dec 12 – 2012, I was writing an article telling fans (mostly doubters) to prepare themselves for a NHL team in Las Vegas in the near future (see LINK)
Jack Eichel is most known for being the guy drafted #2 overall behind generational talent, Connor McDavid. It’s really an unfair comparison at the best of times but he ain’t no ordinary Jack. After an incredible first season playing NCAA for Boston University scoring 71 points in 40 games he looked destined to be a superstar in the NHL. Buffalo loved Jack and he was fond of the city and fans of the Sabres as well but after 6 years in Buffalo and frustrations being heated as they were with upper management about how the treatment of his neck should proceed with surgery , Eichel decided to make things more public. The problem was Management was not going to change their mind and Eichel was pretty set on what he was willing to do himself, hence the Stalemate between both parties.
Eichel was quoted as saying “I’ve been a bit upset about the ways things have been handled since I’ve been hurt. I’d be lying to say that things have moved smoothly since my injury. There’s been a bit of a disconnect between myself and the organization. It’s been tough at times. Right now, for me, the most important thing is just trying to get healthy, figure out a way to be available to play hockey next year, wherever that might be.” You knew the future would be different but no one would imagine a new team taking on the risk in a trade. One team was willing to gamble on Jack and it just happened to be ‘Sin City’ the city that loves to Gamble. The Vegas Golden Knights stepped up to the plate and took a gamble on Jack and the rest is now history.
It was speculated that Eichel had requested a trade from the Sabres, but it wasn’t until after the deal went through that the center confirmed that he had in fact asked to be traded.
- Golden Knights got: F Jack Eichel, 2023 third-round pick from the Buffalo Sabres
- Sabres got: F Alex Tuch, F Peyton Krebs, 2022 first-round pick from the Vegas Golden Knights & also their 2023 second-round pick
The deal was seen as a win-win for both sides. The Golden Knights got the best player in the deal and a franchise center, while the Sabres were able to move on from Eichel who wanted out. The Sabres were able to get what they considered to be a bonafide top-nine forward, a promising prospect and a first-round pick.
Now in fairness, Eichel did have some struggles last season coming off of the neck surgery, but I was always confident he would need still a year to get back to what he once was as a player. He has flourished in his 1st full season in Vegas. Jack put up 66 points in 67 games, leading the team in the regular season in points and finishing second in goals, even though he missed 15 games.
It’s playoff time and Jack has elevated his game even higher during Vegas’ Playoff run. He has performed like the top-line center that Vegas thought they were acquiring a year and a half ago. 23 points in 21 playoff games on a well balanced and deep team is what some would call ‘Golden’. (Ok maybe not as Golden as their helmets are for special games). Jack Eichel has shown the world and the fans of Vegas what a star player looks like and wasted no time these playoffs in establishing himself as an elite player at the highest level of the game.
With the most blocked shots on the Vegas Golden Knights among forwards and the Highest amount of mins played per game (not to mention only 1 point out of being the highest points on the team, he is in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy should they win the Stanley Cup in the next game or two. Even if he does not win the Conn Smythe, Vegas finally has their Golden boy and his name is Jack Eichel.
Keep on Keeping on!
Evan ‘REV’ Renaerts
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