Buffalo's Moulson helping rookie Eichel adjust to NHL life

Being an 18-year-old kid and getting set to embark on a full 82-game NHL season can be a daunting proposition.

So when Jack Eichel received a text from 32-year-old teammate Matt Moulson asking if he wanted to move in with Moulson, his wife and his two kids, Eichel jumped at the offer.

"They treat me like I've lived there for 10 years and I'm part of the family," Eichel said Friday after Buffalo's morning skate at the United Center on as the Sabres got set to take on the Blackhawks. "Their kids are great. From Day 1 when I moved in there, they've treated me like family. It means a lot to me and my family that somebody would do that."

Moulson and his wife, Alicia, have two kids - a 2-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. Eichel, the second overall draft pick last June, said he loves playing with them, noting he never had younger siblings.

"He's a really kind, humble kid who's really good with the kids," Moulson told WIVB-TV in Buffalo. "He's got a little more energy than us."

Eichel was one of two can't-miss prospects in the draft, the other being Edmonton's Connor McDavid, who has been injured most of the season. Eichel is clearly comfortable in the locker room, verbosely talking about the NFL playoffs upon walking in Friday morning.

Eichel has 13 goals and 13 assists in 40 games and has been impressive of late with 4 goals and 8 assists in the last eight contests. Entering Thursday's action, he also ranked third among rookies in goals and assists, fourth in points, first in shots (131) and third in ice time (19:00 per game).

Sabres coach Dan Bylsma raved about Eichel's hockey IQ and what he has added to the team.

"He's been a game-changer in a lot of areas," Bylsma said. "He's one of the few players in the league where the fans have great anticipation when he has the puck on his stick.

"Much like we're talking with Patrick Kane and how he can dance with the puck … he draws you out of your seat. Jack has been that, can do that and has done that with his speed and ability to skate up the ice and cut to the middle.

"There's been some highs and lows in that energy level. But right now his last four or five games have definitely been his best stretch of hockey. (You're seeing) him be that dynamic player on a pretty regular basis."

While Eichel's ability to make an instant impact has a lot to do with his incredible skill set, don't discount what the Moulson family did for the now 19-year-old as well.

"I get a lot less responsibility," said Eichel. "I kind of just have to focus on hockey, which is nice."

Said Moulson: "We considered him part of the family right away. We love him like a little kid - like our third. … He can stay as long as he likes."

Panik update:

Richard Panik, whom the Blackhawks traded for earlier this week, is still not with the team as he works through a visa issue. Coach Joel Quenneville was hopeful that Panik could be available for Sunday's game against Colorado.

Snapshots:

Joel Quenneville registered his 780th career victory Friday in the Hawks' 3-1 win over Buffalo. He is 3 away from passing Al Arbour for the second place all-time in the regular season. … Since being re-assigned to Rockford, Marko Dano has just 1 goal in 10 games.