TOMapleLaughs Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 TSN hockey insider Bob McKenzie dropped a major bombshell on Twitter on Friday afternoon when he tweeted the following about NTDP U18 star forward, and Boston University commit Jack Eichel: There are whispers elite 2015 prospect Jack Eichel may consider not going to BU if he could play head-to-head in OHL vs. Connor McDavid. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 7, 2014 Connor McDavid is a star forward for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, and expected to be selected first overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, with Eichel projected just behind him. Outscoring McDavid in the same league may be the best, if not only, chance Eichel has to surpass McDavid for the first overall pick. Of course, getting Eichel to the OHL is far easier said than done. Eichel is a native of Massachusetts, which is part of the Quebec Major Junior League's territory. Eichel's CHL rights are held by the Saint John Sea Dogs, and player rights can't be traded between CHL leagues. The only way Eichel could end up in the OHL is if Saint John released him and every other team in the QMJHL let him clear waivers. http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/college-hockey-recruiting-ncaa/2014/3/7/5482072/could-jack-eichel-end-up-in-the-ohl I don't see it happening, as every Q team would have to agree with it. But it's interesting how Eichel wants to take on Connor head-to-head and not prove himself seperately. It's not as if scouts aren't going to know who's the true #1 here. Both players are going to be significant franchise-types for the NHL teams who acquire them. One is american and the other is canadian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susraiders Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I can't see it happening. Eichel will be a great player so the CHL won't really help/hinder his development. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereman Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Not sure why Eichel would do this, unless he feels that he'll have a stronger developmental curve by playing in the OHL. Draft position is worth nothing more than bragging rights, as evidenced by Malkin, the Sedins, Eric Staal, Pronger, Doughty, and Toews. It's not as if it has any effect on NHL success (unless you're drafted by Edmonton). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Or actually he couldn't. You title is a little overly suggestive like it's a possibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down by the River Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 No way that QMJHL owners would let this happen. The head-to-head McDavid versus Eichel, Canada's best junior versus USA's best junior, would give a lot of attention to the OHL and take away attention from the Q. Even if a team from the Q knew that Eichel wasn't going to play for them, I could see them scooping him up off of waivers (assuming Saint Johns actually releases him) simply to ensure that Eichel doesn't make it to the OHL. Plus, do you really want to potentially face that guy when the Mem Cup roles around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derp... Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Would love to see Jack vs Connor in the OHL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Not sure why Eichel would do this, unless he feels that he'll have a stronger developmental curve by playing in the OHL. Draft position is worth nothing more than bragging rights, as evidenced by Malkin, the Sedins, Eric Staal, Pronger, Doughty, and Toews. It's not as if it has any effect on NHL success (unless you're drafted by Edmonton). well, there is the max ELC allowance and the almost guaranteed first big paychecque and that accounts for a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avelanch Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 2015 is going to be a stellar draft year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rypien37 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Eichel is not anywhere near McDavid's level. Not only he is 3 full months older, but he plays in the USNDT against players all within his age range and even younger. McDavid is top 10 in scoring in a league where players are up to 3 years older then him. Well all saw what McDavid did when he played against players his age in the U18's. A man amongst boys. No comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted March 7, 2014 Author Share Posted March 7, 2014 Or actually he couldn't. You title is a little overly suggestive like it's a possibility. And it is. Albeit a slim one. If titles explained everything for you, then you wouldn't need threads, btw. Just... titles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted March 7, 2014 Author Share Posted March 7, 2014 Eichel is not anywhere near McDavid's level. Not only he is 3 full months older, but he plays in the USNDT against players all within his age range and even younger. McDavid is top 10 in scoring in a league where players are up to 3 years older then him. Well all saw what McDavid did when he played against players his age in the U18's. A man amongst boys. No comparison. This is what I was thinking as well, except they're sure drumming up Eichel like he has a shot lately. Have to do that to build some draft drama, I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shinkaruk_9 Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 I'm praying we play much worse next year than this year and we trade Kesler and Edler and the rebuild starts... these 4 players have franchise players written on them: McDavid, Eichel, Barzal, and Hanifin This would be the best time to rebuild - this draft year upcoming is really stellar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoneypuckOverlord Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Although it's a pipe dream, Eichel is not in the same breath as McDavid. It's not even close, These American writers or even Canadian writers really have to stop "Eichel pushing for the number spot" it's really not even close, although they do it, to have something to write about, Eichel is "maybe" the next great American player, he will be a very good player at 6'2 and they say a "better 2 way game" which is a very loose term, someone who generates offence, ruthlessness on a shift to shift basis, I already consider awesome 2 way game. That said I wouldn't mind doing a no honor for Conor, and even if we drop to number 2, it's another great player in Eichel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklax Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Eichel is not anywhere near McDavid's level. Not only he is 3 full months older, but he plays in the USNDT against players all within his age range and even younger. McDavid is top 10 in scoring in a league where players are up to 3 years older then him. Well all saw what McDavid did when he played against players his age in the U18's. A man amongst boys. No comparison. Right because when the NTDP (all 18 year olds or younger) play college teams, the college teams are younger. The NTDP mixes in a schedule in the USHL, games against NCAA teams (where guys are up to 24 years old), and international tournaments. Eichel also went PPG at the WJC as a double underager. He's absolutely on the same level as McDavid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoneypuckOverlord Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Right because when the NTDP (all 18 year olds or younger) play college teams, the college teams are younger. The NTDP mixes in a schedule in the USHL, games against NCAA teams (where guys are up to 24 years old), and international tournaments. Eichel also went PPG at the WJC as a double underager. He's absolutely on the same level as McDavid He's absolutely on the same level as McDavid then your going to be very disappointed. Please don't forget, McDavid was demoted to a 3rd line role, while Eichel had 1st line minutes. Make them switch nationalities, Eichel will be hard pressed to even make team Canada. That said you and I are entitled to our opinions, but I'm just gonna prep you, that if you think they are on the same level, I guarantee you, you will be disappointed. this kinda brings me back to the day when Phil Kessel was compared to Crosby, "America's answer to Sidney Crosby" i was like.... errr it's not even close, why are they comparing those players? And how if they were in the draft year, 12 GM's would have taken Kessel and 18 would have taken Crosby? Unbelievable. It's not close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drouin Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Right because when the NTDP (all 18 year olds or younger) play college teams, the college teams are younger. The NTDP mixes in a schedule in the USHL, games against NCAA teams (where guys are up to 24 years old), and international tournaments. Eichel also went PPG at the WJC as a double underager. He's absolutely on the same level as McDavid I wouldn't say on the same level, but people here are underrating him. He's dominating the USHL. I'm pretty sure any team selecting in the top 2 would be happy to draft either of the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Eichel will certainly be a hell of a player, but Sharpshooter has a better chance of being made the pope than Eichel has of going #1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklax Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 then your going to be very disappointed. Please don't forget, McDavid was demoted to a 3rd line role, while Eichel had 1st line minutes. Make them switch nationalities, Eichel will be hard pressed to even make team Canada. That said you and I are entitled to our opinions, but I'm just gonna prep you, that if you think they are on the same level, I guarantee you, you will be disappointed. this kinda brings me back to the day when Phil Kessel was compared to Crosby, "America's answer to Sidney Crosby" i was like.... errr it's not even close, why are they comparing those players? And how if they were in the draft year, 12 GM's would have taken Kessel and 18 would have taken Crosby? Unbelievable. It's not close. You're only using the WJC in your argument which I agree is unfair to compare them directly as they were in different situations. However, what Eichel did on an American team that did have problems scoring was impressive, hence the mention. I look forward to this year's contest as both project to be the number 1 centers for their teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklax Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Eichel will certainly be a hell of a player, but Sharpshooter has a better chance of being made the pope than Eichel has of going #1 settle down squirt, don't make claims you can't back up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shinkaruk_9 Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Right because when the NTDP (all 18 year olds or younger) play college teams, the college teams are younger. The NTDP mixes in a schedule in the USHL, games against NCAA teams (where guys are up to 24 years old), and international tournaments. Eichel also went PPG at the WJC as a double underager. He's absolutely on the same level as McDavid I agree with you. He is on the same level as CMD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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