C Jack Eichel - Boston University, NCAA (2015 Draft)

[Loffer]

What are this kid's chances to make the cut and get a scoring (top6) role in team US at the WJC?

 

[Patmac40]

What are this kid's chances to make the cut and get a scoring (top6) role in team US at the WJC?

Probably more likely that he's a 13th forward who gets PP time and could play his way into the top-6.

 

[sigx15]

Probably more likely that he's a 13th forward who gets PP time and could play his way into the top-6.

They wont bring him on the team if hes just going to be a 13th forward. The 13th forward will be someone like Fitzgerald who is very versatile. Hell play a top 6 role if he makes it, which Im pretty confident he will.

 

[ecemleafs]

They wont bring him on the team if hes just going to be a 13th forward. The 13th forward will be someone like Fitzgerald who is very versatile. Hell play a top 6 role if he makes it, which Im pretty confident he will.

the USA would consider his as a 13th forward even if its just to get experience at the WJC. he will be a big player in 2 years for the US team.

 

[S E P H]

Who's criticizing his skating? I said its above-average, but an area he can get stronger at in straight line speed.

 

[UvBnDatsyuked]

Who's criticizing his skating? I said its above-average, but an area he can get stronger at in straight line speed.

Then your rating system is what should be criticized because looking at it would not let anyone think his skating was anywhere above average.

 

[S E P H]

Then your rating system is what should be criticized because looking at it would not let anyone think his skating was anywhere above average.

Considering 5 is a perfect number, the half of 5 is 2.5 which is average. I voted 3 which is above the average.

Math is your friend.

 

[UvBnDatsyuked]

Considering 5 is a perfect number, the half of 5 is 2.5 which is average. I voted 3 which is above the average.

Math is your friend.

When I look at your numbers I think of A B C D F - C is average. Yes math is my friend but still think your rating system is piss poor

 

[S E P H]

When I look at your numbers I think of A B C D F - C is average. Yes math is my friend but still think your rating system is piss poor

I just responded to that person's question using his ranking, if you want to complain about his piss poor system go talk to him and not me.

If you want me to rewrite it with letter grades, just tell me.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I just responded to that person's question using his ranking, if you want to complain about his piss poor system go talk to him and not me.

If you want me to rewrite it with letter grades, just tell me.

I think the bigger issue is your assertion that Eichel's skating is merely average. It's not - it's a strength.

 

[Woodhouse]

I think the bigger issue is your assertion that Eichel's skating is merely average. It's not - it's a strength.

I agree with you. Heck, I'm fairly certain Eichel's said himself that skating is his strongest asset. [mines for quote]

Edit: From a Boston Globe article in August:

“I think of myself as a two-way center, maybe more on the offensive side of things,” Eichel said. “I like to take on defensemen one-on-one and try to make my teammates look good. I like to shoot the puck and score goals, as well. I like to challenge guys. I think I can play physical a little bit here and there. Probably my biggest asset is my skating.”

There was also an assessment from his U-17 coach Danton Cole in the above link:

“Absolutely,” answered Cole when asked if he understands why NHL teams are already anticipating the 16-year-old’s professional ascension. “Everyone likes big, fast centermen who have a lot of skill. Absolutely. At the end of the day, what always separates those guys is the willingness to prepare and the willingness to prepare to win. The hard part is doing all the work — the time in the weight room, video room, applying practice to games. Jack has that will. He has that will to prepare. He’s a driven young man. It’s a dangerous combination to have that skill and drive. That’s what you look for in hockey players.”

 

[Rabid Ranger]

What are this kid's chances to make the cut and get a scoring (top6) role in team US at the WJC?

Excellent. This is a team that lacks high-end offensive talent and so he'll be given every opportunity to have a prominent role.

 

[S E P H]

Really don't see how his skating is a major strength to be honest. It's decent, but his speed is somewhat lacking.

 

[scoutman1]

Really don't see how his skating is a major strength to be honest. It's decent, but his speed is somewhat lacking.

Eichels skating is a big strength, he has great strength on his skates, excellent speed, excellent acceleration, great balance....not sure where you do not see his great skating?

 

[JAVO16]

scoutman1 has spoken.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Should have played for the Mooseheads.

 

[sjci]

Should have played for the Mooseheads.

I'd say he's doing pretty well where he is

 

[Xokkeu]

Should have played for the Mooseheads.

and no....

 

[S E P H]

Eichels skating is a big strength, he has great strength on his skates, excellent speed, excellent acceleration, great balance....not sure where you do not see his great skating?

I don't know, he has great long strides, but his foot speed is still lacking (if you compare him to MacKinnon). Its more like other characteristics are hiding other characteristics, an example of this is Kris Letang. Letang is a very physical defenseman and some people think he is solid defensively because of his physicality (it sort of hides it), but if you follow the attentions to detail, Letang isn't all that good defensively.

I will say that Eichel has good long strides, good balance, and solid agility (concerning his west to east game) for his size. But when it comes to acceleration and speed, I think he is lacking. I did not see him beat any defenseman on wings during his game against Michigan. Overall though I did say that this will NOT hurt him in the draft rankings by any means.

 

[Anthony Mauro]

I don't know, he has great long strides, but his foot speed is still lacking (if you compare him to MacKinnon). Its more like other characteristics are hiding other characteristics, an example of this is Kris Letang. Letang is a very physical defenseman and some people think he is solid defensively because of his physicality (it sort of hides it), but if you follow the attentions to detail, Letang isn't all that good defensively.

I will say that Eichel has good long strides, good balance, and solid agility (concerning his west to east game) for his size. But when it comes to acceleration and speed, I think he is lacking. I did not see him beat any defenseman on wings during his game against Michigan. Overall though I did say that this will NOT hurt him in the draft rankings by any means.

The truth is in the middle.

Eichel isn't an explosive, 360 skater whose skating you notice for it being excellent on it's own ala Virtanen (S E P H's observation). What you do notice, is Eichel has perfect hockey skating and speed (Rabid Ranger/scoutman1) where his skating allows him to make plays and impact the flow of the game.

One could venture to say that although Virtanen appears to be the 'better' skater just by tool alone, Eichel is the one who is constantly terrorizing opponent's and could have his skating classified as a strength.

 

[S Bah]

To give some idea how good Eichel is as a rookie his 23 pts. in 10 games ties him with #18 ranked Nick Schmaltz but Nick has played 19 games.

 

[drw02]

I don't know, he has great long strides, but his foot speed is still lacking (if you compare him to MacKinnon). Its more like other characteristics are hiding other characteristics, an example of this is Kris Letang. Letang is a very physical defenseman and some people think he is solid defensively because of his physicality (it sort of hides it), but if you follow the attentions to detail, Letang isn't all that good defensively.

I will say that Eichel has good long strides, good balance, and solid agility (concerning his west to east game) for his size. But when it comes to acceleration and speed, I think he is lacking. I did not see him beat any defenseman on wings during his game against Michigan. Overall though I did say that this will NOT hurt him in the draft rankings by any means.

They really aren't comparable players. Mack is more in the Crosby mold and Eichel is in the Toews mold...imo. Nobody would claim quick feet as a strength of Toew's game...still doesn't prevent him from being an elite player.

 

[Xokkeu]

I don't know, he has great long strides, but his foot speed is still lacking (if you compare him to MacKinnon). Its more like other characteristics are hiding other characteristics, an example of this is Kris Letang. Letang is a very physical defenseman and some people think he is solid defensively because of his physicality (it sort of hides it), but if you follow the attentions to detail, Letang isn't all that good defensively.

I will say that Eichel has good long strides, good balance, and solid agility (concerning his west to east game) for his size. But when it comes to acceleration and speed, I think he is lacking. I did not see him beat any defenseman on wings during his game against Michigan. Overall though I did say that this will NOT hurt him in the draft rankings by any means.

MacKinnon is one of the best skaters to come through the draft in the last decades.

 

[SenzZen]

I don't know, he has great long strides, but his foot speed is still lacking (if you compare him to MacKinnon). Its more like other characteristics are hiding other characteristics, an example of this is Kris Letang. Letang is a very physical defenseman and some people think he is solid defensively because of his physicality (it sort of hides it), but if you follow the attentions to detail, Letang isn't all that good defensively.

I will say that Eichel has good long strides, good balance, and solid agility (concerning his west to east game) for his size. But when it comes to acceleration and speed, I think he is lacking. I did not see him beat any defenseman on wings during his game against Michigan. Overall though I did say that this will NOT hurt him in the draft rankings by any means.

What is this I don't even...

As in cross-checking and slashing?

 

[Gritty]

I don't know, he has great long strides, but his foot speed is still lacking (if you compare him to MacKinnon). Its more like other characteristics are hiding other characteristics, an example of this is Kris Letang. Letang is a very physical defenseman and some people think he is solid defensively because of his physicality (it sort of hides it), but if you follow the attentions to detail, Letang isn't all that good defensively.

I will say that Eichel has good long strides, good balance, and solid agility (concerning his west to east game) for his size. But when it comes to acceleration and speed, I think he is lacking. I did not see him beat any defenseman on wings during his game against Michigan. Overall though I did say that this will NOT hurt him in the draft rankings by any means.

- Comparing foot speed to MacKinnon? That's like saying his slap shot is lacking if you compare it to Chara!