Fansided

Every NHL team’s best active player still searching for a Stanley Cup win

By Kyle McKenna

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 19: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks spots the puck in front of the net of the New York Rangers during a NHL game at the SAP Center at San Jose on March 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Nick Lust/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 19: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks spots the puck in front of the net of the New York Rangers during a NHL game at the SAP Center at San Jose on March 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Nick Lust/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are still seeking the city’s first ever Stanley Cup championship, and that could potentially all change with the arrival of youthful assets in Rasmus Dahlin and Casey Mittelstadt. Though, who’s the Sabres’ best active player entering 2018-19 that hasn’t won a Stanley Cup?

Some loyal fans would more than likely argue that veteran forward, Jason Pominville, is that skater, but FanSided believes Jack Eichel deserves the nod.

The former second-overall selection (2015) has scored at least 20 or more goals during his first three NHL seasons, and all of which have been below average Buffalo teams. Injuries have sidelined the 21-year-old for extensive time periods over the past two seasons, but the right-handed shot still ends up as one of the club’s top point-getters.

Eichel was almost a point-per-game player after recording 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 67 contests last season. Just wait to see how much he’ll produce when he’s healthy and as Buffalo’s prospects mature into the top-tier talent to support No. 15.

The chances are that Eichel won’t be on this list come five or six years down the road, but for now he is, unfortunately, the team’s best player that’s still without a Stanley Cup ring.

The fact that he’s only 21 and is on the is list is telling, though. No, he didn’t peak quite like Connor McDavid (2015 first—overall selection) did with the Edmonton Oilers, but Eichel is bound to be a consistent 30 goal-scorer for Buffalo for the long haul.

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