Eichel relishing career year: 'Probably the best I've ever been'
Vegas Golden Knights star Jack Eichel isn't afraid to admit he's been in a groove this season.
"Probably the best I've ever been," Eichel told NHL.com's Dan Rosen. "I'm very focused. I'm consistent. Yeah, I feel good. I'm enjoying playing hockey. It's as good of a head space I've been in in quite some time."
Eichel currently ranks eighth in the league scoring race with 67 points in 54 games, putting him on track to reach the 100-point plateau for the first time in his ten-year career. He has 20 more points than any of his Vegas teammates and is on the fringes of the MVP discussion with two months left in the season.
The 28-year-old has a long injury history but insists he's feeling physically better than ever before.
"There's years in your career when you're young, less miles and a few less surgeries and less injuries that obviously you feel good, but in recent years, yes, I would say (this is the best I've felt)," Eichel said. "I've done a lot to get myself to the position I'm in now physically.
"I feel like I continue to put in a lot of time and effort day in and day out and just try to be as consistent as possible with my routine and what I'm doing to prepare for games, getting myself in the best shape to do that."
Eichel was limited to a combined 55 games over the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns due to a neck injury that required surgery. The procedure ultimately led to his departure from the Buffalo Sabres as the two sides disagreed on the proper course of action.
Eichel has produced 226 points in 218 games for Vegas and was a crucial part of the club's Stanley Cup championship in 2023. His next challenge will be representing the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off, which is scheduled to begin next week.
"I think this is a good time for not only this 4 Nations but what could take place in the next 12 months. You definitely don't want to look too far ahead, but I'm super excited," he said. "It's something I've dreamed of as a kid, and this is an awesome first taste of representing the country, which is something I haven't done in quite some time."