PromoTheRobot Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 (edited) I'll be honest. With all the "McEichel" talk I assumed both players will be expected to perform in the NHL from Day 1. But I just read a story about Eichel being a freshman at BU. Holy crap, a freshman?? So that means he's still just a kid. Can we realistically expect him to do anything for the Sabres next year, or will he be another Grigorenko overwhelmed? Edited February 15, 2015 by PromoTheRobot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 I'll be honest. With all the "McEichel" talk I assumed both players will be expected to perform in the NHL from Day 1. But I just read a story about Eichel being a freshman at BU. Holy crap, a freshman?? So that means he's still just a kid. Can we realistically expect him to play for the Sabres next year? Just out of curiosity, what grade did you expect to find an 18 year old? And, in case you were wondering, McDavid is also "just a kid." They both play like men though and both will be in the NHL next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 No question. He'll be a rare breed of one-and-done college hockey players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 If they are truly franchise changing players like they've been advertised to be, they should be able to step right in. I wouldn't expect them to be elite right away, but I would expect them to contribute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildCard Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 (edited) Big name rookies that have been labeled as elite have, and normally, produce better seasons in their rookie year than any player has in their career on the Sabre's roster, other than Kane Edited February 15, 2015 by WildCard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 (edited) If they are truly franchise changing players like they've been advertised to be, they should be able to step right in. I wouldn't expect them to be elite right away, but I would expect them to contribute. Given what serious hockey people have said about McDavid, yeah, I expect elite. I won't rip him if he's not elite. If he's not really, really good, something is wrong. Edited February 15, 2015 by Yuri Testikov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Given what serious hockey people have said about McDavid, yeah, I expect elite. I won't rip him if he's not elite. If he's not really, really good, something is wrong. John Tavares was called "The Next One". I don't recall him being elite right out of the gate. Was he even really, really good? He was a 50 pt player his rookie season so he was a decent contributor right away. Just one example off the top of my head. And the OP is about Eichel so I guess if it is accurate that Eichel is below McDavid, elite out of the gate is probably over-wishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueBlueGED Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Just out of curiosity, what grade did you expect to find an 18 year old? And, in case you were wondering, McDavid is also "just a kid." They both play like men though and both will be in the NHL next year. This is part of the reason why I'm confused about the OP singling out Eichel. The other part of my confusion is that "kids" regularly come in and contribute immediately--it's not like we're expecting McEichel to do something that's never been done. John Tavares was called "The Next One". I don't recall him being elite right out of the gate. Was he even really, really good? He was a 50 pt player his rookie season so he was a decent contributor right away. Just one example off the top of my head. And the OP is about Eichel so I guess if it is accurate that Eichel is below McDavid, elite out of the gate is probably over-wishing. Much like Stamkos, Tavares started slow and was much better the second half of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LastPommerFan Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 It's possible that Eichel never really contributes ever at an elite level. Edmonton seems to have a knack for destroying talent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKnowPhysics Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 (edited) I believe he'll eventually be elite, but I also have an expectation that he can contribute significantly as a rookie under the right circumstances. I did some NHLe analytics a little while ago in the CHL thread (there's several posts there) that put Eichel somewheres between 57 and 73 points, assuming he sees anywhere between average and elite-worthy rookie usage, linemates, and opportunities. Edited February 15, 2015 by IKnowPhysics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 It's possible that Eichel never really contributes ever at an elite level. Edmonton seems to have a knack for destroying talent. Glass half full, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKnowPhysics Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 (edited) It's possible that Eichel never really contributes ever at an elite level. Edmonton seems to have a knack for destroying talent. Islanders to some degree as well, despite this season's success. See also: The Curious Case of Nino Niederreiter. edit: Also, I get jokes. Edited February 15, 2015 by IKnowPhysics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NucksFan82 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Glass half full, eh? I would say so...a lot of assumptions going into that statement ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LastPommerFan Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Glass half full, eh? It is the most likely outcome. It may not be as likely as all the other possible outcomes combined, but it is the most likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NucksFan82 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 It is the most likely outcome. It may not be as likely as all the other possible outcomes combined, but it is the most likely. How is it the most likely outcome? Even if the Sabres finish the season with the worst record in the NHL they have an 80% chance of NOT ending up with the #1 pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerme1 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 McDavid starts day 1 Eichel would benefit more being a year out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKnowPhysics Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 (edited) McDavid starts day 1 Eichel would benefit more being a year out. If this is right, Eichel's NCAA career is over after this year. He'd benefit more in Rochester than BU, and that's if he doesn't wow in Sabres camp (plus nine games) to earn his big boy pants. Edited February 15, 2015 by IKnowPhysics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildCard Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Can he play in Rachacha next year? I thought you had to be 20+, or is that only if you come out f juniors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 It's possible that Eichel never really contributes ever at an elite level. Edmonton seems to have a knack for destroying talent. Have any good examples? The myth keeps rolling. Can he play in Rachacha next year? I thought you had to be 20+, or is that only if you come out f juniors? He can play in Rochester ASAP. But he won't. He'll be in the NHL next year. And I don't understand why there's any notion that McDavid can jump but Eichel can't. Eichel is known for the most physical style than McDavid anyways and has shown all the skill. McDavid is better, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Eichel playing at a high level earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biodork Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Can he play in Rachacha next year? I thought you had to be 20+, or is that only if you come out f juniors? Tank had it, but yes he can play in the AHL since he's currently college-eligible (think Girgensons) vs. Canadian minors eligible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LastPommerFan Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 How is it the most likely outcome? Even if the Sabres finish the season with the worst record in the NHL they have an 80% chance of NOT ending up with the #1 pick. name one scenario with a better than 20% chance of occurring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
French Collection Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Leading the NCAA in scoring as a freshman is elite. Tavares was elite as a junior but took some time. Stamkos was mentioned as a weak rookie but look at him now. Thornton comes to mind as another, slow out of the gate. I think they get put into roles to give them confidence and succeed, PP, O-zone starts, good line mates. McDavid needs a bit more weight to hold up, speed to burn though. I hope we get McDavid but Eichel will do fine. Eichel may be driven by always being #2, will try harder. Avis could be his nickname. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Yes, he'll be an immediate contributor. I just hope we temper expectations. Anyone expecting McDeichel to step right in and post HOF numbers in his rookie season just isn't dealing in reality. I'll just be happy knowing we finally have a cornerstone worth building around; a true bonafide difference maker on the ice. GO SABRES!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 name one scenario with a better than 20% chance of occurring. Getting the number two pick. I see your argument because I've been calling that forever. We have a better chance than anybody else IF we finish last. But the field has an 80% chance of winning the lottery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LastPommerFan Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Getting the number two pick. I see your argument because I've been calling that forever. We have a better chance than anybody else IF we finish last. But the field has an 80% chance of winning the lottery. I conceded to the field in the original post. The most likely team that Connor McDavid will be playing for next year is the Buffalo Sabres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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