Some fans are grumbling, yes grumbling, about Eichel

by Brett Smith

It arrived on Friday like an unwanted party guest you thought might not be coming: Sabres fans grumbling about Eichel.

. pic.twitter.com/P5nsLSYCxe

— sba (@essbeeay) November 28, 2015

Tweets like this are an extension of *ugh* sentiments expressed via talk radio.

My inbox: “[Eichel] has potential but has alot to learn, 0 assists speaks volumes. Needs time in Roch or perhaps he's another Brad Boyes?”

— Jeremy White (@JeremyWGR) November 6, 2015

Of course the grumbling was on Twitter and talk radio, where contrarian ideas, trolls and striaght-up bullshit flourish with abandon. But still, there is a creeping sense that once casual Sabres fans turn their attention away from the Bills – talk radio phone lines and social media will light up with people suggesting Eichel get sent down the 90 for some seasoning; if he hits a slow patch of games.

A Jack Eichel Rorschach test

On Friday, the Canes were largely dominating in the first period and apprehensive minds focused their anxiety on the most obvious target. Eichel has been the face of this franchise since before he was drafted, so you can see why people might be pointing the finger at him when pucks aren't filling nets.

He does seem to drift aimlessly about the offensive zone from time to time, like a plastic bag blowing in the November wind. Eichel is also absent from the score sheet on a semi-regular basis. Is the criticism valid; no, even called for?

Conveniently, the Sabres are more than just one man and even though Eichel blows a tire in this second period highlight, his linemates – Brian Gionta and Matt Moulson – are still able to get one past a shaky Cam Ward.

The rookie scoring title has been out of Eichel’s reach for some time now. Both Max Domi and Dylan Larkin are outpacing the first year Buffalo player and this situation makes easy fodder for the critically minded.

But Eichel seems to have more ambitious and longer-term goals than simply snapping up a Calder Trophy a la Tyler Myers. Dan Bylsma is known for filling young hockey minds with reams of knowledge, and Eichel sometimes skates like he’s pacing out a dance routine that he’s trying to commit to memory.

Fortunately for Eichel, he has enough raw talent to get by as he learns the ropes. His moments of individual brilliance may not always end up in the back of the net (see below), but they should be enough to keep him from finding out what a garbage plate is.