Cassidy’s new team is healthy and it’s rolling. Jack Eichel has finally settled into his new environment following last season’s blockbuster trade from the Buffalo Sabres, surrounded by a well-balanced, experienced group.
When Le Droit’s Marc Brassard asked Cassidy if he has stolen any of the choice lines from Kilrea and used them on his own players, he quipped, “none that I can repeat.”In coming to Vegas, Cassidy inherited Eichel, who had a reputation as a problem child in Buffalo and struggled to find a groove when he returned from neck surgery last season.Article content
The trade occurred a year ago Friday and when Eichel returned, he scored 14 goals and 11 assists in 35 games. “I watched it a little bit over the years in Boston, guys come in with families and to get settled it takes awhile,” he said. “For Jack, I think it was just all the baggage from Buffalo a little bit, that he had to sort of carry with him. Whether it was deserved or not, I wasn’t there, but now you’re getting a guy just settling in from Day One.”It also helps to have steady linemates, a luxury he didn’t experience last season due to the banged up Golden Knights lineup.