C Jack Eichel - Boston University, NCAA (2015, 2nd, BUF) III

[Paxon]

I don't see why that would happen. Did Ennis even play any center this past year? I can see Eichel (or McDavid, if we could be so lucky) starting at wing at first while he gets acclimated to the NHL, but I think he's 1C by the end of the season.

It was how the first poster had it, which is why I referenced it. Yes, Ennis played center to start the season. He was the 1st line center until Girgensons was moved to that line, when he then slid back to wing. I want to say that might've been in early December but maybe it was November. Before that happened Ennis had played a whole lot of center going back to the second half of 2011-2012.

 

[Muston Atthews]

Did I compare anyone to Mario? No. Nevermind that Mario was a shell of himself at that point, so let's not just drop the name "Mario Lemieux" in there like we're talking about the best player in the world at the time. I mentioned Crosby because he's the best prospect relevant to what I said. Even Crosby played some wing to start. The idea that it's 100% Eichel wouldn't is nonsense.

I didn't say that you compared him, I was simply pointing out that the only reason Crosby played wing was because Mario was the centre. You don't put Mario on the wing until Crosby can prove he is head and shoulders above Mario at the NHL level, or Mario gets hurt. Which is what they did.

Maybe, but he was already better than Mario just like Eichel is likely already better than any of the Sabres forwards. If I listed every top center who broke in at wing people could break down how each situation differed in some way from what we know of the 2015-2016 Sabres and they'd be missing the point, which is that, in addition to many top-end center prospects, even the best prospect of the past 20 years played wing. I don't care about the circumstances because if we listed 20 players that played wing we'd be looking at 20 different circumstances. Anything's possible, even if it's very unlikely Eichel wouldn't start at center, which are the two points I was making. If Eichel were moved to wing so Ennis could play center I'd pull my hair out, though.

Usually when centres break into the league as wingers there is a backlog of established NHL centres ahead of him. That's not the case in Buffalo.

 

[Mit Yarrum]

Ennis should never play center again. He's a really nice winger.

My top line center next year is Girgensons. He did it last year and he can do it again.

I do:

Girgs
Larsson
Eichel

As my top-3, in that order. Grigorenko can battle it out with Larsson.

As the season progresses, I take a look at Reinhart there. No hurry though.

2016 I see where I am.

 

[Paxon]

I didn't say that you compared him, I was simply pointing out that the only reason Crosby played wing was because Mario was the centre. You don't put Mario on the wing until Crosby can prove he is head and shoulders above Mario at the NHL level, or Mario gets hurt. Which is what they did.

It's obviously not the only reason otherwise Crosby and Mario would've both played center from the start. They specifically wanted Crosby to play with Mario. Crosby was not forced to wing by the center group in Pittsburgh which was frankly a very bad center group discounting Crosby.

Usually when centres break into the league as wingers there is a backlog of established NHL centres ahead of him. That's not the case in Buffalo.

The operative word here is "usually". I didn't mean for this to become a protracted debate as it was just something I tacked on while responding to another comment. I'm just saying you can't say he certainly won't play any wing because even the best prospect of our generation has done so, not to mention many other elite prospects. Eichel falls somewhere in between. All it takes is for whoever coaches Eichel on whichever team he's on to want him paired with a specific player or want him to have to focus on defense as little as possible to start.

 

[BoDacious Horvat]

Is Eichel going to play at the WCs for team USA? They're pretty thin up front.

 

[Paxon]

Is Eichel going to play at the WCs for team USA? They're pretty thin up front.

Yes sir. He's already been invited. It should be exciting. Gaudreau last year was the best part of the tournament for me.

 

[sabrebuild]

It should be interesting to see how he does with players closer to his current playing level.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Ennis should never play center again. He's a really nice winger.

My top line center next year is Girgensons. He did it last year and he can do it again.

I do:

Girgs
Larsson
Eichel

As my top-3, in that order. Grigorenko can battle it out with Larsson.

As the season progresses, I take a look at Reinhart there. No hurry though.

2016 I see where I am.

Assuming they don't get McDavid, Eichel will be Buffalo's best player right off the bat next season. He will be the top line center almost certainly.

 

[Mit Yarrum]

Assuming they don't get McDavid, Eichel will be Buffalo's best player right off the bat next season. He will be the top line center almost certainly.

I don't think that's smart. Protect the kid a bit.

 

[Needles]

I don't think that's smart. Protect the kid a bit.

Agreed. Top6 winger or #2C should be perfect role for him next year.

Kane - "Vermette" - Eichel
Moulson - Zemgus - Ennis

or

Moulson - Zemgus - Ennis
Kane - Eichel - Hodgson

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I don't think that's smart. Protect the kid a bit.

Eichel does not need protection. He is the most NHL ready prospect since Crosby. He will come in and be a 1st line center right off the bat.

 

[1972]

Welcome to Buffalo Jack.

 

[Fenway]

Jack Eichel made it clear last night that his intention is to stay at Boston University next season no matter what happens tonight saying there is unfinished business at BU.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Playing at the Worlds officially.

 

[wings5]

Jack Eichel made it clear last night that his intention is to stay at Boston University next season no matter what happens tonight saying there is unfinished business at BU.

He should be proud they made it that far, it takes some luck as well, chances are slim they make it back to the title game.

 

[William H Bonney]

Jack Eichel made it clear last night that his intention is to stay at Boston University next season no matter what happens tonight saying there is unfinished business at BU.

He's going to say all the right things right now. He's not going say he's playing in the NHL for an unknown team.

I'm so happy Eichel isn't going #1.

 

[Xokkeu]

Wow, kid dodged a bucket tonight.

 

[dwanmaster*]

He's going to say all the right things right now. He's not going say he's playing in the NHL for an unknown team.

I'm so happy Eichel isn't going #1.

No kidding, at least none of the American studs end up in Edmonton now

 

[ZeroPT*]

After all the months of watching Marner/Strome highlight videos at midnight, tears running down my face with a tub full of ice cream in my lap I'm so ****ing glad we have Eichel in the bag.

Oh the relief.

 

[start winnin]

He won't be going back to college he'll be in Buffalo and he will be our god.

 

[couture23]

Feels good man.

 

[Snargitz]

Can a mod change the "2015 draft" part in the thread title to 2nd Overall, Buffalo?

Will save time for the future.

 

[start winnin]

I love the kid's swagger too, you need that to be the best.

 

[jwhouk]

The difference between #1 overall and #2 overall is about 9%, in terms of NHL games played, since the 1988 draft.

 

[WaltWhitman]

Jack Eichel made it clear last night that his intention is to stay at Boston University next season no matter what happens tonight saying there is unfinished business at BU.

God, I hope not.

I don't think it would hurt his development. Maybe slow it a tiny bit, but I mostly just want to see him in the NHL. Soon.