If the Buffalo Sabres are going to establish themselves as a legitimate playoff-caliber team in 2016-17, they are going to need second-year center Jack Eichel to avoid the sophomore slump.
(Obviously, they need a lot of other players to avoid slumps, as well, but we’ll save those conversations for another day!)
Eichel is going to be the player who makes the Sabres’ second line go, and the fates of both Tyler Ennis (returning after missing 59 games in 2015-16) and Sam Reinhart (also trying to avoid the sophomore slump) rest in Eichel’s capable hands. An effort that produces 70+ points is entirely within Eichel’s grasp, and should he exceed 70 Ennis and Reinhart could be in in for career seasons, as well.