Golden Knights' Jack Eichel Blasts Ever-Losing Sabres: 'Polar Opposite'

Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel didn’t hold back when reflecting on his time with the Buffalo Sabres, describing the franchise as one lacking a winning mentality compared to his current team.

Speaking at the NHL’s media day, via Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic , Eichel contrasted the Sabres' long-term focus with Vegas’ aggressive, championship-driven approach.

“It was almost like in Buffalo for a few years we were always working toward the future, right?," Eichel said. "It was never about right now. It was about getting draft picks, developing them, and working toward what we could be a year, two years, whatever it might be from now.”

Eichel, who spent six seasons with the Sabres, sounded frustrated about the organization’s constant rebuilding mode, stating that as a player, the desire to win is always atop all other priorities.

“When you’re the player representing the team every night, it’s like, ‘I want to win. I want to be competitive now,’” Eichel said, after comparing Vegas to Buffalo. “I think that’s the place (Vegas) you want to be. I went from one polar opposite to the other."

The Golden Knights, in contrast, have built a reputation for making bold moves to remain competitive since entering the league. Their focus on winning now, according to Eichel, has made a significant impact on his career and personal satisfaction.

“To be able to play in a place where the goal and the standard every season is to be the last team, it’s the best. It’s what you want as a player,” Eichel said.

Eichel was traded to Vegas in November 2021 after a contentious dispute with the Sabres regarding the treatment of a neck injury, and the change in environment truly reignited his passion for the game and unlocked his full potential as a former No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft.

His comments also reflect a sentiment shared by many top players in the NHL, who are drawn to organizations with a win-now mentality like the Golden Knights, who entered the league as an expansion team and hoisted the Stanley Cup shortly after.

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