Jack Eichel voiced his frustration over not making the playoffs for the 5th straight year

BarDown Staff

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For a fifth straight season, Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres will not be playing in the postseason.

And their captain is understandably sick of the losing.

During a conference call with reporters on Thursday, the 23-year-old admitted that he's simply fed up and frustrated. Eichel added how the past five years have been "tough" and shared his view that he and his teammates are missing out on a "valuable experience" by not being a part of the NHL's Return To Play Plan.

You've seen some quotes, now hear all of Jack Eichel's response when I asked how his feelings on #Sabres future compare to those he's had after previous losing seasons.

"I'm definitely not in the greatest place with how the last little bit's went and it's definitely worn on me." pic.twitter.com/tFyCHMp99a
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) May 28, 2020

Eichel: "I'm fed up with the losing and I'm frustrated. It's not an easy pill to swallow right now. It's been a tough past couple of months and a tough past five years." #Sabres
— Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos) May 28, 2020

Eichel: "In a situation like this, a lot of the teams that are going to continue to play. They probably thought they were going to be out of it. They’re going to gain valuable experience. Now we’re not one of them. It adds to the frustration. It adds to it a lot."
— Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos) May 28, 2020

Eichel: "It adds to the frustration that you can’t get to a 24-team playoff. Our goal at the beginning of the season wasn’t to make the 24-team playoff. It was to make a 16-team playoff."
— Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos) May 28, 2020

But despite his frustrations, Eichel ended the call with complete class.

Much respect to Jack Eichel for ending his call by saying he appreciates the coverage and respects the media for the job they do and wishes nothing but the best for everyone and their families.#Sabres
— Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos) May 28, 2020

Eichel enjoyed his personal best season with 36 goals and 42 assists in just 68 games, and a +5 plus/minus rating; the first total above zero of his career. The next highest point total belonged to Sam Reinhart with 50. Buffalo finished the regular season 21st in goals for (193) and 20th in goals against (215), but despite their struggles, Eichel fully supports his head coach Ralph Krueger.

Jack Eichel: I have to give the most credit to our head coach Ralph...the way he handles himself...he's one of the greatest leaders I've been around on a day-to-day basis, the way he looks at life and hockey #Sabres
— Maddy Glab (@MadGlab) May 28, 2020

It's unclear when the Return To Play Plan will take place but you just know Eichel is going to be watching with fire in his stomach. We can't wait until this guy finally gets his shot to compete in spring (or this case summer? Fall?!) hockey.

(H/T Michael Traikos)