Jack Eichel gets called out by his own coach Cassidy, who isn’t holding back

The message was clear when Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy shared it with reporters.

“Jack just hasn’t been the same driving force for us as he was at the start of the year on both ends of the ice,” Cassidy told reporters following Thursday’s 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. “The expectations are not being met from Jack. He needs to be better for us especially as we’re down a few guys that create offense for us. He needs to be one of the drivers.”

The Golden Knights are in the middle of a three-game losing streak, and have lost key players, like captain Mark Stone to injuries, leaving many voids to fill on offense.

It would have been the perfect opportunity for Eichel to prove that Vegas was right to gamble on him back in 2021 when they pulled a blockbuster trade with the Buffalo Sabres.

However, Eichel struggled when he got back to action following a neck fusion surgery, averaging less than a point per game last season. He’s been better this year, in his second season with the Golden Knights, Eichel with 15 goals and 19 assists in 33 games so far, but there is no doubt he needs to contribute more. And Cassidy wasn’t going to stay quiet about what he expects from Eichel moving forward as Vegas look to take back the lead in the Pacific Division from the Seattle Kraken.

The Golden Knights face the Washington Capitals next, on Saturday, as the last outing of a disappointing seven-game home stand.

Eichel will need to show he’s heard his coach loud and clear.

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