Are we talking about the Combine or are we talking about hockey? Because I thought we were concentrating on on-ice stuff. The Combine and hockey are literally two different things.
C Jack Eichel (2015, 2nd, BUF) IV
- Thread starter JawandaPuck
- Start date
Semantics
PUBLIC ENEMY #1
Well, gosh, I guess Eichel will dominate McDavid when they quit hockey to join the National Combine League.
But when it comes to hockey results, McDavid is head and shoulders ahead, so I'mma go ahead and say he'll be just a LITTLE bit better as an NHL player (that's sarcasm, btw; he'll be a lot better).
Dogewow
Such Profile
- Feb 1, 2015
- 2,886
- 296
And here come the people who want to **** on the combine.
Anyway, I think the ultimate point of him bringing up the combine was to state Eichel's athletic prowess and physical strength. I would agree that the combine and on-ice results are two different things, but I don't think you can dismiss it as irrelevant. I think it is funny that the same people dismissing the combine, are the same ones that would likely have been using it as a talking point as to why McDavid is better than Eichel should he have been the one to have come out on top.
Anyway, I think the ultimate point of him bringing up the combine was to state Eichel's athletic prowess and physical strength. I would agree that the combine and on-ice results are two different things, but I don't think you can dismiss it as irrelevant. I think it is funny that the same people dismissing the combine, are the same ones that would likely have been using it as a talking point as to why McDavid is better than Eichel should he have been the one to have come out on top.
RoyalGremlin
The future is now.
- Jun 19, 2007
- 4,123
- 0
I can see your perspective. Exciting times to be sure although I personally believe that Yzerman is a more similar potential comparable calibre for Marner but Kane is also a good one. Eichel is a pretty unique prospect and definitely ahead of Marner at this point but I wouldn't be surprised to see them have neck and neck careers along with McDavid on his down years (if any
)
- Apr 27, 2005
- 36,516
- 36,878
Reach, shot, strength, puck protection, defensive play, power. I'd say his straight line speed might be a hair better as well, but its irrelevant anyways, as their both ridiculously fast.
McDavid has the edge in hands, IQ/timing, vision, agility, creativity, elusiveness, 1-1 moves / deking, and plays off the rush.
- Apr 27, 2005
- 36,516
- 36,878
Not sure why you've chosen to respond this way, other than a petty feeling of inferiority. Not one person used the combine results as justification for Eichel being the better hockey player. However, it can't be denied that there are some areas where McDavid is outmatched by Eichel that are relevant to their actual hockey playing ability, like strength and athleticism.
If your going to reply with useless sarcastic responses that intentionally ignore the current conversation, maybe do everyone a favor and skip the whole posting thing.
I don't think Eichel has an edge, either. That was never what I was trying to get across. What I was trying to do was educate someone who clearly knew nothing about Eichel's game. Eichel is better at certain things than McDavid as McDavid is better at certain things than Eichel.
I don't know why that is so difficult for some to get (not directed at you). However, it does seem to be those that make the nationality of the player a way bigger thing than it should be.
Semantics for instance pretty much just posts drivel all due to Eichel not being Canadian.
I'm just laughing that the guy who's inherently inferior's list of things he has over the other guy is twice what the other guy has on him.
"So difficult to understand" "doesn't know anything" --- and points to citizenship being the divider. give me a break
Dogewow
Such Profile
- Feb 1, 2015
- 2,886
- 296
Can you argue against his points on Eichel? Other than what he says about skating I would have to agree on pretty much everything he says. Doesn't mean I think Eichel is better than McDavid or that I would take him over McDavid. McDavid is very good at a great many things, some things that set him apart from Eichel, which is why he was taken first in the draft before him. It doesn't mean McDavid is better than Eichel in every single attribute that exists in hockey. Nor does it mean that there is a "large gap" between the two. I think the hype has gotten a little out of hand when people get really defensive when someone says "Eichel is better than McDavid in x category".
- Apr 27, 2005
- 36,516
- 36,878
What are you talking about? I mean literally your first sentence isn't even comprehendable.
Agree that Eichel has the edge with his shot, size and strength but that McDavid has a slight edge basically everywhere else. But I mean, they are both going to be amazing players so whatever.
Eichel might be faster than McDavid in a fastest skater competition but they are both world class and will immediately become two of the top skaters in the league.
IMO McDavid uses his speed more effectively as he is a bit better at changes gears, plays with a bit more urgency and he plays at a higher pace and is more likely to take guys on 1v1.
This isn't meant to be a knock on Eichel whatsoever as it is more due to playing styles. Eichel's skating is out of this world and he just glides over the ice like Neidermeyer or Coffey.
tsujimoto74
Moderator
- May 28, 2012
- 31,188
- 24,555
What sets McDavid's skating apart is definitely his ability to change gears/make quick moves laterally to throw defenders off. Fortunately for Eichel, he's a big strong kid, and damn fast himself, so he can power right through guys. As for pace/Eichel gliding a lot, I know one of the things he and Bylsma talked about him working on as early as the WCs was him upping his pace in his play away from the puck, so we'll see what happens there.
There's no question McDavid has the overall edge as a prospect, but he certainly doesn't blow Eichel out of the water in every single hockey skill across the board.
Mattilaus
Registered User
Just out of curiosity, if the combine is irrelevant then why doesn't NHL just get rid of it? All the GMs can just gather and watch tape of the game and interview the prospects (although interviewing skills also have nothing to do with hockey so we can get rid of the interview as well).
Why do some people take it as an insult when you say player A is better at this one thing than player B?
Why do some people take it as an insult when you say player A is better at this one thing than player B?
- Apr 27, 2005
- 36,516
- 36,878
This is extremely true. I think Eichel's long stick some times prohibits him from being more dynamic of a puck carrier at top speed, which, when combined with his ridiculous stride length, can make him appear slower. It makes it tough to objectively evaluate their top speeds, but I would agree that Eichel would probably win out in a fastest skater competition, much like how Mike Gartner or Scott Neidermayer beat out Pavel Bure.
I like McDavid in 80% of offensive scenarios (off the rush, gaining the zone, behind the net, setting up teammates, running the power play). The only offensive scenarios I like Eichel in are shooting / one timer areas, and off the half wall / corner, where he excels in a very Jagr like way, using his reach, hands, and strength to beat players to the middle of the ice and open up for a heavy wrister.
They are obviously both strong playmakers, but there playmaking style is very different. McDavid uses his speed and puckhandling to set up players in all parts of the ice, which is indicative of extremely high offensive IQ, much like Crosby and Gaudreau. Eichel prefers to hang on a bit longer and see the play a bit more, drawing defenders in before feeding a pass backdoor, a lot like Getzlaf. He probably has a higher assist rate on his passes, but also makes a lot fewer passes. This is still indicative of a very intelligent player, but not at the level of McDavid, Crosby, or Gaudreau.
IMO McDavid>Eichel without even a moment of hesitation. Offensively Marner may have the slightest edge on Eichel but obv Eichel is better in every other aspect. McDavid is better than Marner in every single aspect of his game. So using Marner as a comparison to the 2 its easy to see that McDavid>Eichel. IMHO(in my Homer opinion)
pigpen65
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2011
- 3,986
- 963
no probably not. What does that have to do with my post? I was talking about their skills NOW.
Mattilaus
Registered User
I don't think anyone in this thread has debated that Eichel > McDavid, simply that Eichel has one or two traits which may be better at the current point in time. That doesn't make him a better prospect or better overall and is not an insult to McDavid.
pigpen65
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2011
- 3,986
- 963
If he's better offensively than Eichel, why wouldn't be be playing in the NHL this year?
OkimLom
Registered User
- May 3, 2010
- 15,937
- 7,390
I agree with most of your post. But before I give my opinion on the bolded, can you explain what you mean? What would you say Marner has over Eichel offensively?
- Apr 27, 2005
- 36,516
- 36,878
I actually like Marner's all around game, I think it may compare well with Eichel's. But he doesn't have the presence that Eichel has and will not be able to dictate the flow of play offensively the way Eichel will.
Offensively, Marner might have better vision, but Eichel is better everywhere else.
Offensively, Marner might have better vision, but Eichel is better everywhere else.
TalkingProuder
Registered User
36, no idea where your getting your numbers from, but that is the combine difference. No one knows what either put on over the summer.
Bonlarvis
Registered User
The Buffalo New just reported that Eichel has put on 10lbs of muscle this summer.
Also, Eichel beats McDavid hands down personality-wise.
In all seriousness, I have seen McDavid play live, including his 5 goal game, and I am not convinced he is human. It was crazy how fast he was at everything, while still maintaining absolute puck control.
Latest posts
-
Confirmed with Link: Bruins acquire Henri Jokiharju from Sabres for 4 th round pick
- Latest: KillerMillerTime
