‘Barring the ability to win games singlehandedly for the Sabres, Eichel has been everything Buffalo could have asked for this season. After two seasons of playing second fiddle to Ryan O’Reilly as the Sabres’ top center, Eichel has taken the mantle this season. He has a higher average ice time than any other Buffalo forward, skates more even-strength ice time than any other Sabres center, logs top minutes on the power play and contributes in a secondary role to the penalty kill. And while he’s been somewhat sheltered in terms of where he starts his shifts, Eichel hasn’t been given easy minutes. Only Evander Kane has faced tougher competition among Buffalo forwards.’
Eichel’s dominance is a beacon of light in another dark season for Sabres
Source: The Hockey News