Vegas Golden Knights fans know what Jack Eichel can do as a hockey player. He has 19 goals and 50 assists this season, the latter being tied for the franchise record for most assists in a single season. Advanced statistics tell a bigger story, where he has a shooting talent above average of 13.3% and a shooting talent adjusted expected goals of 23.4.
The center has all the tools needed to be an elite player, ranging from an excellent two-way game to immaculate shooting talent. It's no wonder he's part of Team USA during the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Americans need his incredible game to get the masses to sing "Free Bird" by Lynard Skynard more.
But hockey fans across the world are seeing what the four-time All-Star can do when unleashed on the same line with the Tkachuk brothers. On Saturday, he scored an assist in America's big 3-1 victory over Canada. The night prior, he had two assists as the Americans routed Finland, 6-1. The secret is out of the bag. No. 9 truly is elite.
Hockey fans are seeing how terrific Eichel is as a hockey player, running the power play and making magic happen on his line. He's on pace to shatter his career-high in points (101) and assists (73), with the forward already establishing a career-high in power play assists (20). What more is there to say about the former Hobey Baker award winner?
This is who Jack Eichel was meant to be as a hockey player
For years, Jack Eichel has been bogged down by injuries. It was apparent when he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021, where he needed surgery for a disk replacement. People thought he was washed and a draft bust compared to his fellow 2015 NHL Draftee, Connor McDavid.
Those rumblings became louder as the seasons passed. He had issues with his neck and pelvis and last season only added to the problems. But it seems that wasn't a problem against Finland on Thursday, for the superstar laid a massive hit on Aleksander Barkov.
JACK EICHEL DELIVERS A HUGE HIT ON BARKOV 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/d14Gbdj0Zm
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) February 14, 2025
It's part of his evolution as a hockey player, where he's not just acting as a solid offensive player. Golden Knights fans see this on a regular basis this season, specifically during the penalty kill. Fans have seen better exits and a more proactive play from the center, which has catapulted his team to first place in the Pacific Division.
Part of it has been Bruce Cassidy getting more from his superstar. On July 1, 2022, the head coach organized a meeting in Cape Cod with Eichel, laying out expectations during his tenure with his new team. That included expanding his 200-foot game, becoming more involved in the zone defense, and supporting his teammates down low. His goal? Establish a working relationship with the franchise's focal point.
It turns out that it worked far better than fans imagined. Aside from being the unofficial DJ for Americans for "Free Bird", the 4 Nations player has shown the world what he can do when given the spotlight. Lo and behold, his presence in said spotlight has led to Team USA sitting atop the standings, where he's on the cusp of adding another trophy alongside his Stanley Cup. It's basically the most All-American story you could ever tell.