Michael Pachla: Impressions of, and questions concerning--C, Jack Eichel

Buffalo Sabres Truth Bomb

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...st_id=18059&user_id=97187

Good stuff as usual Pach.

Eichel is obviously not the problem. Put the "C" on his chest...bring in a vet to take the "A"....?????.....profit.

Buffalo needs to get back to where it was before the abomination of 2007. We are still viewed throughout the league and the least desirable place to play. In time the committed win at all costs approach of Mr. Pegula will turn things around.

Thanks for the Jack-trick reference. Brings tears to my eyes.

Pin the C, grab that vet presence you need like feet22 said.

I'm probably in the minority, but I am not a big fan of making a young guy captain, just because he's the most talented on the team.

IMHO, it would be a huge mistake with Eichel.

The kid already has enough to deal with. Putting the C on his chest just adds to the pressure.

Let him continue to develop his game. Sign some aging vet to keep the captaincy warm for 2-3 years.

If he wants to play a "leadership role" (whatever the frank that actually means), he can do it with an A on his sweater.

Or he can do it with nothing on his jersey.

I'm probably in the minority, but I am not a big fan of making a young guy captain, just because he's the most talented on the team.

IMHO, it would be a huge mistake with Eichel.

The kid already has enough to deal with. Putting the C on his chest just adds to the pressure.

Let him continue to develop his game. Sign some aging vet to keep the captaincy warm for 2-3 years.

If he wants to play a "leadership role" (whatever the frank that actually means), he can do it with an A on his sweater.

Or he can do it with nothing on his jersey.
- Atomic Wedgie

points taken...but, it's his team, always was

Can he hit that elusive point-per-game mark?

Yes. With Girgensons and Pominville? No.

Yes. With Girgensons and Pominville? No.
- jcragcrumple

true story

points taken...but, it's his team, always was
- Michael Pachla

But that's kinda my point.

There's two sides to being a captain:

- being a leader in the room and on the ice
- dealing with media crap

I'm of the opinion that the former is best done by young guys simply by leading by example. There was a fantastic interview with Bryan McCabe where he talked about being named captain of the Islanders too young - and he had no franking idea what he was doing (I've searched for years - can't find it).

Whether it's right or wrong, a 20 year old kid can only say so much to a 30 year old before the 30 year old starts thinking that the young pup needs to just shut the frank up and play his own game - even if the 20 year old is clearly the better player.

And for the latter, forgive me for thinking this, but Eichel in front of the media 82 times isn't a great idea.

points taken...but, it's his team, always was
- Michael Pachla

But can he win face offs and do push ups ?

The Fat Pig retired.

But that's kinda my point.

There's two sides to being a captain:

- being a leader in the room and on the ice
- dealing with media crap

I'm of the opinion that the former is best done by young guys simply by leading by example. There was a fantastic interview with Bryan McCabe where he talked about being named captain of the Islanders too young - and he had no franking idea what he was doing (I've searched for years - can't find it).

Whether it's right or wrong, a 20 year old kid can only say so much to a 30 year old before the 30 year old starts thinking that the young pup needs to just shut the frank up and play his own game - even if the 20 year old is clearly the better player.

And for the latter, forgive me for thinking this, but Eichel in front of the media 82 times isn't a great idea.
- Atomic Wedgie

all great points...however, the core group they're building consists mainly of players 24 and younger...any player that botts brings in will know that this is jack's team...

I think he can handle it...may not start off very good, but he seems like the type that will dig in deeper when that happens

But can he win face offs and do push ups ?
- SABRES 89

how about pull-ups?

The Fat Pig retired.
- SABRES 89

you mean the guy who's team beat the sabres in the scf?

how about pull-ups?
- Michael Pachla

Sit ups ?

you mean the guy who's team beat the sabres in the scf?
- Michael Pachla

They didn't beat us, the league did.

But that's kinda my point.

There's two sides to being a captain:

- being a leader in the room and on the ice
- dealing with media crap

I'm of the opinion that the former is best done by young guys simply by leading by example. There was a fantastic interview with Bryan McCabe where he talked about being named captain of the Islanders too young - and he had no franking idea what he was doing (I've searched for years - can't find it).

Whether it's right or wrong, a 20 year old kid can only say so much to a 30 year old before the 30 year old starts thinking that the young pup needs to just shut the frank up and play his own game - even if the 20 year old is clearly the better player.

And for the latter, forgive me for thinking this, but Eichel in front of the media 82 times isn't a great idea.
- Atomic Wedgie

Dude Media after a Sabres game is like 8 people... Buffalo is No Toronto... he will be fine. He grew up a lot this year... Slap the C on him and lets go....

He is a treat to watch, even on an abysmal team.

He actually dictates the pace of play around him by himself. It's not just his speed, which is terrific. It's the way he can go really, really fast, and then slow it down and keep control. You can watch him get 8 players moving on the PP, and then he slows the whole thing down and creates a shooting lane or a pass by stopping. His patience is incredible.

Get him some wingers. He will explode

Sit ups ?
- SABRES 89

sure there are many who could use a few of those

They didn't beat us, the league did.
- SABRES 89

I was expecting, who cares?...he's a fat pig anyway

The Fat Pig retired.
- SABRES 89

You love hitch

He is a treat to watch, even on an abysmal team.

He actually dictates the pace of play around him by himself. It's not just his speed, which is terrific. It's the way he can go really, really fast, and then slow it down and keep control. You can watch him get 8 players moving on the PP, and then he slows the whole thing down and creates a shooting lane or a pass by stopping. His patience is incredible.

Get him some wingers. He will explode
- jcragcrumple

We really need Svechnikov, almost as bad as we need Dahlin.

He is a treat to watch, even on an abysmal team.

He actually dictates the pace of play around him by himself. It's not just his speed, which is terrific. It's the way he can go really, really fast, and then slow it down and keep control. You can watch him get 8 players moving on the PP, and then he slows the whole thing down and creates a shooting lane or a pass by stopping. His patience is incredible.

Get him some wingers. He will explode
- jcragcrumple

Good post.

...He’s only ever known success

Yes and that knowledge is ingrained in players such as Eichel. Have you watched how most of the Sabres players are all happyslapping each other and grinning and having a good old time seeming unaware that their butts are being kicked out on the ice ? All but one player Jack Eichel. You watch him coming down the corridor to the ice he has a serious look a focused look a look that says I'm ready to battle I can't stand being embarassed (in my own building especially).

Yes and that knowledge is HE KNOWS HOW TO WIN.

You appear to think he is to young to be captain. I disagree. I think the bigger problem is that other players on the team don't want to hear Jack. They think he is some pampered youngster that just wants to yap because he is entitled to.

So to me the bigger problem that Botterill has to do is bring in more players like Wilson. Players who maybe aren't flashy and full of pomp and circumstance but bring IT every night. Those types of players are TEAM players. They are willing to do WHATEVER it takes to win. And that means those types of players know their role. They know that they need a player(s) like Jack who has the talent and drive and knowledge to win.

Will Jack always be right probably not. But a good leader just doesn't belch all over the other team mates rather listens to them to produce a cohesiveness. To produce an all-for-one-and-one-for-al esprit de corps. I believe Jack knows this because he has had success. I don't think you need to bring in somebody who came from rags to riches to be the captain. I just think you need to surround Jack with players who will JOIN Jack and not try to undermine him.