Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 
Forums :: Blog World :: Michael Pachla: Jack Eichel forces himself into the Calder Trophy conversation.
Author Message
sbroads24
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We are in 30th place. It's 2017 , NY
Joined: 02.12.2012

Jan 27 @ 10:59 PM ET
Idk that it'll be all that drastic though
I expect both lines to get a lot of minutes
3rd & 4th lines will be the ones reduced IMO

Either way, I'm not too worried about it
It's not like his icetime will go from 20min to 15min
Maybe down to 18ish
I think he can still be pretty good at that rate

- jdfitz77

It probably won't be drastic, but even if it's a minute and a half a game, that's a lofnof ice time over the course of a year.

I think we are starting to see O'Reilly get tired too.
gerbe75pts
Anaheim Ducks
Location: DRAFT COLE CAUFIELD AT 7!!!, CA
Joined: 09.03.2009

Jan 27 @ 11:01 PM ET
U really don't think TM will re-sign him?
- Sabresfan-365


If a team goes to las vegas then good bye
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 27 @ 11:08 PM ET
Grigorenko playing LW on the top line tonight with MacKinnon & Duchene
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 27 @ 11:10 PM ET
McNabb still on top pair with Doughty
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 27 @ 11:11 PM ET
It probably won't be drastic, but even if it's a minute and a half a game, that's a lofnof ice time over the course of a year.

I think we are starting to see O'Reilly get tired too.

- sbroads24



It'll add up for sure
Give me a min & I'll do the math...
gerbe75pts
Anaheim Ducks
Location: DRAFT COLE CAUFIELD AT 7!!!, CA
Joined: 09.03.2009

Jan 27 @ 11:12 PM ET
Grigorenko playing LW on the top line tonight with MacKinnon & Duchene
- jdfitz77


He has been nothing but a huge disappointment imo
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 27 @ 11:31 PM ET
It probably won't be drastic, but even if it's a minute and a half a game, that's a lofnof ice time over the course of a year.

I think we are starting to see O'Reilly get tired too.

- sbroads24



Kane is currently averaging 21min a night with 11 goals in 40 games played
If he were to drop down to 18min, and we assume his shots drop at that rate...
Then his goals at the same shooting percentage (7%) would drop down to 9.5 goals at this point
If his shooting % goes up ONLY 1% then his goals scored goes back to 11 with the reduced icetime/shots

That would be a pace for 23 goals over and 82 game season
I think his shooting % should bounce up to around 10% though, give or take
Over an 82 game season, that's a 28 goal pace
Let's say Kane only plays 70 games though...
That's a 24 goal pace

I think what the numbers say is that he's produced a little below standards so far with his low shooting %
If he can get that back up, then his goals should be just fine even with reduced ice time
Health remains the key,
But while on the ice... He should be a pretty decent scorer for us
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 27 @ 11:33 PM ET
He has been nothing but a huge disappointment imo
- gerbe75pts


I've only seen like 2 AVs games this year & I think he was benched for one of them
Still needs work on his skating from what I see
Didn't expect it to be such an issue for him

It's my biggest concern about Fasching
Smittyx36
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Bustttt, NY
Joined: 07.03.2010

Jan 27 @ 11:35 PM ET
reading back a little bit... i cant believe people underrate mcdavid so much! I love Eichel but he was definitely the #2 for a reason. McDavid was doing things i havent seen since the mario/bure/greatone days. Better than Crosby good. Eichel is a bigger and taller Mike Modano. Thats a compliment btw. Mike is probably the greatest american forward ever
sbroads24
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We are in 30th place. It's 2017 , NY
Joined: 02.12.2012

Jan 27 @ 11:37 PM ET
Kane is currently averaging 21min a night with 11 goals in 40 games played
If he were to drop down to 18min, and we assume his shots drop at that rate...
Then his goals at the same shooting percentage (7%) would drop down to 9.5 goals at this point
If his shooting % goes up ONLY 1% then his goals scored goes back to 11 with the reduced icetime/shots

That would be a pace for 23 goals over and 82 game season
I think his shooting % should bounce up to around 10% though, give or take
Over an 82 game season, that's a 28 goal pace
Let's say Kane only plays 70 games though...
That's a 24 goal pace

I think what the numbers say is that he's produced a little below standards so far with his low shooting %
If he can get that back up, then his goals should be just fine even with reduced ice time
Health remains the key,
But while on the ice... He should be a pretty decent scorer for us

- jdfitz77

If he scores 24 and plays 70+ games, I'd have no issues with him long term. He's a solid power forward. He's just trying to do way too much this year on his own. And I don't think giving him 21 min a night helps
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 27 @ 11:38 PM ET
reading back a little bit... i cant believe people underrate mcdavid so much! I love Eichel but he was definitely the #2 for a reason. McDavid was doing things i havent seen since the mario/bure/greatone days. Better than Crosby good. Eichel is a bigger and taller Mike Modano. Thats a compliment btw. Mike is probably the greatest american forward ever
- Smittyx36



It's way too early to judge these guys

McDavid's size may end up hampering him though
Especially in the playoffs where things tighten up

I brought up a few times last year that Eichel's size & style game could lead to him being a better fit for the playoffs

We'll obv have to wait & see
Either way,
So far I'm happy with Jack
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 27 @ 11:41 PM ET
If he scores 24 and plays 70+ games, I'd have no issues with him long term. He's a solid power forward. He's just trying to do way too much this year on his own. And I don't think giving him 21 min a night helps
- sbroads24



Agree with all that

I'd like to think that once guys get settled into their roles & we figure out the chemistry aspect that it'll help quite a bit with our overall scoring


On the other end though...
If he stays at 7% and only plays 60 games, them we're talking like 15 goals

So I do see your concern
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 27 @ 11:42 PM ET
Vinny still has it
He just made a sick play to set up a goal
He's gonna be a factor for LA in the playoffs
gerbe75pts
Anaheim Ducks
Location: DRAFT COLE CAUFIELD AT 7!!!, CA
Joined: 09.03.2009

Jan 28 @ 12:24 AM ET
reading back a little bit... i cant believe people underrate mcdavid so much! I love Eichel but he was definitely the #2 for a reason. McDavid was doing things i havent seen since the mario/bure/greatone days. Better than Crosby good. Eichel is a bigger and taller Mike Modano. Thats a compliment btw. Mike is probably the greatest american forward ever
- Smittyx36


Patrick Kane will be then eichel
gerbe75pts
Anaheim Ducks
Location: DRAFT COLE CAUFIELD AT 7!!!, CA
Joined: 09.03.2009

Jan 28 @ 12:25 AM ET
Vinny still has it
He just made a sick play to set up a goal
He's gonna be a factor for LA in the playoffs

- jdfitz77


The Flyers just love handing cups over to the Kings
kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

Jan 28 @ 12:38 AM ET
The Flyers just love handing cups over to the Kings
- gerbe75pts


It is an awful big assumption that Vinny will even make it to the playoffs healthy, and with something left in the tank.
gerbe75pts
Anaheim Ducks
Location: DRAFT COLE CAUFIELD AT 7!!!, CA
Joined: 09.03.2009

Jan 28 @ 12:52 AM ET
It is an awful big assumption that Vinny will even make it to the playoffs healthy, and with something left in the tank.
- kingcong39


If I look at past history every guy that has been traded to the kings or other team that has ties with the Flyers has won the cup so I think history is going to repeat itself
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 28 @ 12:53 AM ET
It is an awful big assumption that Vinny will even make it to the playoffs healthy, and with something left in the tank.
- kingcong39



I'm not gonna predict someone gets hurt though
He's looked really good in the 3 LA games I've watched since he's come over
Looks rejuvenated
Good for him
Class guy
I kinda hope the Kings win the Cup so he can go out on top
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 28 @ 12:54 AM ET
If I look at past history every guy that has been traded to the kings has had ties with the Flyers has won the cup so I think history is going to repeat itself
- gerbe75pts



It's gotta make Philly fans sick...
gerbe75pts
Anaheim Ducks
Location: DRAFT COLE CAUFIELD AT 7!!!, CA
Joined: 09.03.2009

Jan 28 @ 12:57 AM ET
It's gotta make Philly fans sick...
- jdfitz77


It's happen so many times Kings ,Bruins,Blackhawks, penguins
kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

Jan 28 @ 1:00 AM ET
I'm not gonna predict someone gets hurt though
He's looked really good in the 3 LA games I've watched since he's come over
Looks rejuvenated
Good for him
Class guy
I kinda hope the Kings win the Cup so he can go out on top

- jdfitz77


A lot of guys look rejuvenated immediately after trades, but it doesn't often last for very long.
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 28 @ 1:03 AM ET
Gerbe.....

If we pick 2nd, do u have a preference?

Seems to me like Puljujarve is slick & smart (Zetterberg-ish?)... NHL ready

Laine looks like he might have a higher upside though.
All kinds of raw talent where he could develop into a heck of a power forward. Kinda reminds me of Barkov like that, but more powerful skater.

jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 28 @ 1:04 AM ET
A lot of guys look rejuvenated immediately after trades, but it doesn't often last for very long.
- kingcong39



That's a fair point
Looks damn good so far though
Wetbandit1
Vegas Golden Knights
Location: Hail Satan
Joined: 10.07.2010

Jan 28 @ 1:10 AM ET
That's the thing though, over the last two years he hasn't been.

I posted the other day that he has the 3rd most ice time of any NHL forward. Yet is only producing at a rate of a 3rd liner (relative to ice time)

When we have more talent, he won't play as much, and will take less shots, so even when his shooting % increases, he still won't score much more

I loved his game last night, he was constantly creating turnovers, he just needs to play like that more than once every 6 or 7 games

- sbroads24


That's a bit of a straw man. Eichel is playing a lot less than he did at the beginning of the season and he's been producing like crazy during this time of reduced ice time. So ice time and production aren't mutually exclusive.

The relevant part of a recent article:

One of the reasons for that might be that head coach Dan Bylsma appears to have subtly eased up on Eichel's usage. Earlier this season, Eichel routinely topped 18 minutes a game, often touching closer to 20 minutes. He was also taking between 22 and 28 shifts per game. Lately, he's been averaging a little closer to 17 minutes a game and almost never goes over 22 shifts in a single game. In nine of his last 10 games, Eichel hasn't even hit 17:30 of ice time in a game. He has seven points over the last five games of that recent stretch.

Early on in the season, he was getting utilized like one of the team's best forwards because he was and still is. But a production lull between mid-November and mid-December may have indicated the youngster was getting worn down under burdensome responsibilities.

At even strength between October and mid-December, Eichel was averaging 1.1 points per 60 minutes. In slightly more selective usage since mid-December, he's averaging 2.3 points per 60 minutes. It's quite a swing for such a small change.

-
http://www.cbssports.com/...ontention?FTAG=YHF7e3228e


Now, there could be any number of reasons for the big upswing in production, but saying a guy won't produce just because he won't play as much rings fairly hollow.
Wetbandit1
Vegas Golden Knights
Location: Hail Satan
Joined: 10.07.2010

Jan 28 @ 1:15 AM ET
A lot of guys look rejuvenated immediately after trades, but it doesn't often last for very long.
- kingcong39


*cough Brad Boyes

*cough Steve Heinze

*cough Johnathan Bernier

*cough Cody Hodgson
Page: Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16  Next