Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel? Who's better? Two players coming from two completely different programs makes you raise an eyebrow on who is actually better.
Looking at Connor McDavid, he played three season with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. Putting up at least a point-plus per game in each of those three seasons, with his best season being this season putting up about 120 points in just 47 games. Impressive? Yes, but numbers aren't everything. Looking at the Otters roster of this season, he wasn't the only one putting up impressive numbers. Six players put up over a point per game (one of them being Dylan Strome, who is expected to go in the top five this year).
Now taking a look at Jack Eichel from Boston University. One season as a freshman and put up Kariya-like numbers and also became the first freshman to win the Hobey Baker since Paul did back when he was a freshman at Maine. And if my research has served me right, he's the first American freshman to win the award. If you want my honest opinion, he will need more development before throwing him into the big show. But chances are, everyone will jump the gun (no matter where he goes), and throw him in and sign him. My opinion? Let the kid develop a little bit. If you are going to sign him right out of the draft, the least you can do is send him to the minors. But who knows what they will do. One season at a Division 1 University isn't really enough to constitute a huge draft stock, but that's what they pay these NHL scouts to do, is get them the insider on these young players. But remember, once he is signed, he can't go back to back to college for further development, unlike McDavid, who can go back to the juniors once he is signed (if need be).
So what is McDavid playing for? Money? Fame? A career in hockey? Sure. It doesn't seem like there is much pride to go around in the juniors, considering they are just preparing them for a hockey career and that's it (or that's at least all that's cared about). What if his hockey career tanks? Not every high numbered draft pick makes it. What could he have a career in? A sales rep at Canadian Tire? He's 18 with a plan that he is going to make it big in the NHL. We shall see. But I can't really say much different about Jack Eichel. What will he amount to if his career tanks? One year worth of college will probably land him into a management career (depending on how great his management skills are). Even though the chances are not high enough to constitute a complete draft bust, these boys have their eyes set on big league hockey and the fame that comes along with it. As long as we don't get another Sidney Crosby out of McDavid, we'll be alright. This league already has enough pretty boys. We already have Cry-Baby-Crosby, no need to add a Cry-Baby-Connor.
Lets see how next season pans out for these guys after the draft. My guess is, anyone who goes after them in the draft is bound to do a little better. The reason why I say this? They will get the development needed to play in the big leagues before being thrown in the cage. Don't forgot who is picking number one and two. Edmonton and Buffalo. As it sits now (and how it will most likely turn out), McDavid will get drafted to the Oilers and Eichel will go to the Sabres. The Sabres at least show some fight in them season after season, so Eichel will have a chance to get some decent development. But whoever Edmonton decides to take, they are doomed. Development comes to a screeching halt, much like the German airline that crashed into the Alps earlier this month. Not only is the development in question, but it puts their entire playing career in jeopardy if they are subject to the Oilers out of the draft. The best hope after getting picked by Edmonton is that you get traded at some point in the early part of your career.
Good luck boys, especially to who goes number one, you'll need it!
No comments:
Post a Comment