Jack Eichel feels good, and it's been a while since the Vegas Golden Knights forward has been able to say that.

"It's been a nice offseason," he said. "I guess more normal than the last two with COVID and then last summer, dealing with what I was dealing with. … So, it's been good. The body feels good. It's good to have your health, and looking forward to the year."

Last summer, Eichel was dealing with a herniated disk in his neck and a disagreement with the Buffalo Sabres regarding which surgery to have. He wanted artificial disk replacement (ADR); the Sabres preferred a fusion procedure. Eichel was traded to Vegas on Nov. 4 and had the surgery he wanted eight days later.

The 25-year-old played his first game with the Golden Knights on Feb. 16, and finished the season with 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) in 34 games. Although he led the team in goals during that stretch, it was his lowest points per game (0.74) since his rookie season in 2015-16 (0.69). 

Eichel had three points (one goal, two assists) in eight games from April 9-26, when the Golden Knights were battling for a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Vegas was eliminated from contention on April 27, failing to qualify for the postseason for the first time since entering the NHL in 2017-18.