Jack Eichel Aims to Lead Golden Knights to Another Stanley Cup Victory

When it comes to playing in Vegas, he finds himself surrounded by a cohesive and talented team. He dominates on both offense and defense.

“Having confidence in every guy in the room really takes the pressure off,” he explained. “You don’t feel the need to constantly make outstanding plays. You can just focus on playing the game.”

This mindset allows for a more instinctive and relaxed style of play, without the burden of feeling like you have to perform at a certain level every night. Instead, you can rely on the structure of the team and contribute in your own way.”

This upcoming season, Eichel is expected to take on an even greater role.

Coach Bruce Cassidy intends to utilize him more on the penalty kill, utilizing his strong stick to win face-offs and disrupt plays. He also wants Eichel to take charge of the power play and increase its tempo. Additionally, Cassidy wants him to be more assertive with his shots.

“Eichel has one of the best shots on our team, but he often looks to set up plays instead,” Cassidy noted. “I understand he’s a center, but I believe he should utilize his dangerous shot more frequently to keep opposing teams on their toes.”

The Golden Knights have retained most of the roster that led them to win the Cup last season. They know what it takes to win and are driven to repeat their success.

“We’re not lacking in hunger,” Eichel emphasized. “Just look at the number of players on our team who have won before. They seemed even more motivated than ever.”

Notable contributors include defenseman Alec Martinez, who won the Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014, center Chandler Stephenson, a Cup winner with the Washington Capitals in 2018, and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and forward Ivan Barbashev, who both won with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.

“These guys understand what it takes to win, and their only goal is to experience that feeling again,” Eichel remarked.

Now, Eichel and his teammates share that same desire.

“When you have an entire team filled with players who know the feeling of winning, it’s easy to stay motivated and prove yourselves once more,” he concluded.