LAS VEGAS — Since joining Las Vegas in 2021, Jack Eichel has met high expectations, significantly contributing to the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup victory two seasons back. Now, he seems to have elevated his performance even further.
With 58 points across 46 games, Eichel is poised to achieve personal bests and has entered discussions surrounding the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league’s MVP. Despite the team’s current struggles, reflected in a 1-5-1 record, they still lead the Pacific Division, with the Edmonton Oilers hot on their heels, just a point behind. This success comes even after the Golden Knights lost key players in the offseason, including Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, and Alec Martinez.
Coach Bruce Cassidy remarked that Eichel recognized an opportunity for leadership when several veteran voices departed. Eichel seemed determined to fill that gap and step up for the team.
Renowned for his scoring ability, particularly from the circle, Eichel has also excelled as a playmaker; his 46 assists rank fourth in the NHL, and he’s just eight assists shy of his career high. Additionally, he boasts a plus/minus rating of 24, also placing him fourth in the league and close to his personal best from two seasons ago.
While his 12 goals fall short of the 31 he netted last season, that number could certainly rise. He currently has a shooting percentage of 8.3%, noticeably lower than the double-digit percentages he maintained over the previous three years, indicating there is room for improvement in his goal-scoring.
If Eichel regains his usual scoring touch, his chances of being considered for the Hart Trophy could improve. As of now, sportsbook BetMGM recognizes him as eighth in Hart odds, which would be a notable achievement for a Golden Knights player, surpassing Mark Stone’s ninth place four years ago.
Eichel indicated that he didn’t focus on any specific skills during the offseason but concentrated instead on maintaining a consistent routine. “I try to be dedicated to my routine and process as much as I can all the time,” he explained. “I do the same things day in and day out.”
His teammates have taken notice of his unwavering commitment. Forward Ivan Barbashev praised Eichel’s dedication, stating, “His preparation is the best in the game. The night before the game, he’s focused on what he needs to do.”
Cassidy noted that having a committed player like Eichel sets a positive example for the entire roster. He compared Eichel’s leadership to that of former standouts he coached in Boston, such as Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron. Cassidy emphasized the importance of a team’s best players leading by example in practice for establishing a strong organizational culture.
According to Barbashev, Eichel’s dedication to improvement has been evident since the Golden Knights captured the Cup two seasons ago. As the team faces a challenging stretch, Eichel is determined to help guide Vegas back to championship form. “Obviously, the team’s been in a little bit of a funk lately,” he acknowledged. “So I think the only thing on any of our minds now is just trying to find our game again and rattle off some wins.”
