Evander Kane scored two goals in Buffalo’s 3-1 win over Washington on Tuesday night.
Kane didn't want any of the glory for himself. He praised his line mates and D for their hard work in the much needed home win. The Sabres looked bad in their lopsided 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars last Saturday night. Kane and his fellow team leaders felt it necessary to lead from the front against the Capitals.
These days, Kane gets by with a lot of help from his friends. Kane and his buddy Jack Eichel have found an infectious groove that is resonating on and off the ice. Where you find Jack, Evander is usually very close by.
The two forwards continue to work extremely well together.
Their chemistry is undeniable. What one starts, the other seemingly finishes.
In the first fifteen games of this season, Kane has already assisted on two of Eichel’s four goals this season. Both of Kane's helpers on Eichel goals have come at even strength. In the spirit of reciprocity, Eichel has already assisted on four of Kane’s nine goals. Two of Eichel's apples have come on even strength goals by Kane. Eichel has already assisted on two of Kane's NHL-leading three shorthanded goals.
The Kane-Eichel fire was ignited last season when the two prolific scorers were paired with one another. Kane and Eichel suffered serious injuries at the beginning of the 2016-17 which caused each performer to sit out a considerable amount of games. Eichel missed 21 games with a high ankle sprain while Kane missed 12 games with four busted ribs. When healthy, the 9-15 Express did some serious damage to opponents with their blinding speed and elite puck skills.
In 2016-17, Eichel assisted on 8 of Kane's 28 goals, 6 of which were at even strength and the other 2 on the power play.
Kane returned the favor by setting up 2 of Eichel's 24 goals, both at even strength.
The dynamic duo created ten goals together for a team that struggled to score. Why Dan Bylsma didn't play Kane-Eichel more together at 5v5 blows my mind.
Bygones.
After Tuesday’s game, I spoke with Kane at length about his unique relationship with his centerman Eichel.
Evander has played over 500 games for three different NHL clubs. Kane has lined up next to some pretty pretty fantastic players in his NHL career like Ilya Kovalchuk, Bryan Little, Nik Antropov, Alex Burmistrov, and Kyle Wellwood. I asked Kane if he has ever played with such a dynamic player as Eichel.
“I’m the perfect person to ask that question. I’ve played with a lot of guys, right? I’ve played with some really skilled players in my career. But, Jack’s combination of skating and speed, his ability to beat guys one on one and hang on to pucks and make plays. He’s a special player…
Kane speaks glowingly of Eichel. Dan Bylsma played Kane with Eichel a few different times last season. Never were Kane-Eichel left alone to learn how to play with one another. Bylsma wanted things done his way. It was his way or the highway. I often wonder how much more the successful would have been last season had Bylsma played Kane-Eichel together exclusively. You have to think that Kane and Eichel shared their dissatisfaction with Bylsma when they first met new GM Jason Botterill and new head coach Phil Housley.
Housley was a quick study. He identified a winning combination when he first saw it.
Kane told me the more he plays alongside Eichel the better it is for both players.
“This is the first time that we have probably played consistently together. I think we are two guys who want to play with one another and work with one another. When you have that (chemistry) you’ll work no matter how hard it may be so far, we’ve done a decent job of that. We want to keep working hard to build that chemistry.…
I mentioned an old hockey bromide to Kane: There’s only one puck and every skilled player wants it on his stick for the majority of time.
When Bylsma first played Kane with Eichel, there was a concern in media circles that both players would hog the puck and look for their own scoring opportunities. I asked Kane if he has any time for the “own the puck… narrative. Kane wants people to know that he has absolutely no issue playing the give-and-go game with Eichel. The two forwards are trusting of one another.
“Honestly, I think we can do a better job of sharing (the puck). Everybody keys in him (Eichel), right? If he can use me to get himself some space and I give him the puck back. Just working off each other. We’re getting there. We’ll try to continue it….
Maybe Evander can remind Jack to pass less and shoot more on the give-and-go plays.
Kane leads the Sabres in points (15) and goals (9). Eichel has four goals and 10 assists. Their linemate Jason Pominville (14 points) also has earned the trust.
As Evander Kane trade rumors continue to percolate from sources outside of Buffalo, I want you to counter-balance them with the power and influence of Jack Eichel. In other words, ask yourself how such a trade will benefit Eichel and the Sabres. A trade for the sake of a trade is weak. It won't work. Forget about Kane's current expiring contract. Kane is 26. He's on pace to have his best points production season of his NHL. What's more, Kane is doing a great job of avoiding the off ice distractions that have plagued him in the past in Buffalo and Winnipeg.
(P.S.- The NY Rangers can't dump Rick Nash and his dinosaur contract on Buffalo and expect Evander Kane in return. If the Rangers want to trade Ryan McDonagh for Evander Kane, Buffalo has it's ears on. However, the Rangers are NOT trading McDonagh, nor Brady Skjei. Period. For. Dot. Dot.
End of story.
However, if the Anaheim Ducks want to get faster, younger, more physical and more offensive, they can trade D Josh Manson, D Jacob Larsson and a first rounder for Kane. More on that later.
If the Philadelphia Flyers are willing to part with young D Travis Sanheim or Sam Morin, plus other assets, they could avail themselves of Evander Kane.
If the Vegas Golden Knights were to agree to send D Shea Theodore and pending UFA sniper James Neal Buffalo's way, Buffalo would have to consider trading Evander Kane to Sin City.
You see me working?
If you don't have a top four D, top D prospect and other currency to offer for EKane, don't bother phoning Buffalo.
I digress.
Kane is relishing this long-term opportunity to work with arguably the best offensive player he has ever played on a line with.
Why would Kane want to leave Eichel's side now?
Why would Eichel want to bid farewell to his close friend and co-collaborator?
The Kane-Eichel connection is real.
Kane is a pending unrestricted free agent. Evander will hit the hockey lottery when his contract expires on July 1, 2018. At this current scoring rate, Kane will be earning a big pay raise on his $6 million 2016-76 salary and his $5.25M AAV. Jason Botterill and Kane’s agent know what the current marketplace is. They also know that Kane's trade value continues to increase by the day. Two factors driving Kane's trade value today are his points production and the recent Matt Duchene trade. Kane is the only sniper left who is worth getting excited for. NHL GMs like Anaheim's Bob Murray rode the Matt Duchene train until the eventual last stop only to go home empty handed on Sunday night. Duchene is a nice offensive player, but he is nowhere as complete a player as Evander Kane is. Those GM's who were emotionally invested in the Duchene saga are no left empty handed. They need a physical, fast, 30-goal scorer in the worst way possible.
I’m telling you to pump the brakes on Kane trade talk.
The Sabres are pleased with Kane’s performance on the ice and they are expecting more from him this season. Kane has earned the trust of Botterill, Housley and his teammates.
Playing with Eichel during a contract year is a dream come true for Kane. The two guys clearly enjoy the time they spend with one another on the ice. Like McCartney-Lennon, the Kane-Eichel duo are making great music together. If the face of the franchise has a career offensive production campaign this season, why would Eichel want Kane to leave?
In late July, while I watched a Kane live chat on Instagram. Kane was broadcasting from a lake house in the Muskokas. I was reminded of the strong bond between Kane and Eichel. Kane "accused" Eichel of not responding to #9's Snapchat stories. During the live chat, Eichel responded.
Eichel responds to Kane's allegations that he never replies to his snap stories pic.twitter.com/Po6lRXf7JZ
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) July 24, 2017
In that same live Instagram chat, Kane, admittedly wearing Eichel's Sabres hoodie, offered to write Eichel's Hart Trophy acceptance speech right then and there. Kane also said in that chat that he sees Eichel scoring 120 points this season. In the spirit of fun, Kane was having a good time and was pumping the tires of his young line mate. But, deep down, I believe Kane when he sincerely says that he wishes the best accolades for his friend Eichel. I believe that Eichel is the teammate that Kane has never had. In other words, Kane is appreciating the experience of playing with Eichel so much so that it is inspiring him to be his better self on and off the ice. Kane knows that his success will be a direct result of the relationship he has forged with Eichel the past three seasons in Buffalo.
Take a look at the photo at the top of this page. Study it. What do you see?
I see two friends who have profound respect for one another. Kane and Eichel have respect for one another. They are succeeding because they are not satisfied with losing. They are winners. They want to win. They are leading their Sabres teammates from the front.
Why break up a prolific songwriting team now while they are churning out hit song after hit song?