By my eye, Eichel’s intensity has dropped way off. He’s spending too much time floating instead of engaging when he doesn’t have the puck. I don’t need to compare him to other players on the team in that regard, not when I am addressing him specifically anyway.
Its something he’s done in the past when the season hasn’t gone his way. In my view, it’s a pattern now.
None of that means he’s the reason for the teams’ turn of direction. Frankly, the team was well down this path before he gave up, so it’s not his fault IMO. But as the captain, the defacto face of the team, and a now veteran who is expected to show the path, criticism for it is warranted.
No, he doesn’t need to be moved either.
Its a valid criticism of his play. He’s earned it.