I said this a couple times over the last month. Buffalo may be the real winner here. Both McDavid and Eitchel are generational talents. That isn't debatable. So was Crosby, movie and Daigle. Most turn out some flop hard. What if Eitchel turns out to be the far better player? Its certainlyvnot a stretch at all. Buffalo is now in a can't miss situation
- Bieksa#3

Have you seen McDavid play? The Sabres are probably extremely pissed off right now.

Look at Detroit ...they seem to turn every pick into NHL players ...when's the last time they had a kid playing in his teens for them ? I get it's easy when you are already a good team and can be patient but sometimes I think there needs to be a one year AHL rule or something like that to prevent players from coming in too young...it has worked pretty decent for some but for the most part the guys who can jump right in wouldn't be hurt from a year of AHL
- Redmile247

Some good points. I think a "AHL' rule like that would only benefit both player and team. Detroit seems to have the blueprint on how to handle young talent (as noted, all of the players are nurtured in the AHL before heading to the main club), and that is to ease them in slowly and ensure that patience is given in the growth and handling of such players. That is the recipe for success in the league today. Well, that and good scouting/drafting of course.

I said this a couple times over the last month. Buffalo may be the real winner here. Both McDavid and Eitchel are generational talents. That isn't debatable. So was Crosby, movie and Daigle. Most turn out some flop hard. What if Eitchel turns out to be the far better player? Its certainlyvnot a stretch at all. Buffalo is now in a can't miss situation
- Bieksa#3

You never know but it seems highly unlikely. The most recent comparable for a hyped 1-2 draft situation was Hall and Seguin and they both worked out. McDavid and Eichel have far more hype, with McDavid arguably generating as much hype as Crosby did before his draft.

Some good points. I think a "AHL' rule like that would only benefit both player and team. Detroit seems to have the blueprint on how to handle young talent (as noted, all of the players are nurtured in the AHL before heading to the main club), and that is to ease them in slowly and ensure that patience is given in the growth and handling of such players. That is the recipe for success in the league today. Well, that and good scouting/drafting of course.
- Zogg

Failing that, dumb blind luck seems to work.

But seriously. He beat the shyt out of him. To go down the ice, call out the goalie and beat the tar out of him. All this while being arguably the best player in the league. That's playing like a boss
- Bieksa#3

Oh I saw

Not questioning that

Have you seen McDavid play? The Sabres are probably extremely pissed off right now.
- hertzman

I've seen him play probably as much as anybody on this site. Both are amazing

I said this a couple times over the last month. Buffalo may be the real winner here. Both McDavid and Eitchel are generational talents. That isn't debatable. So was Crosby, movie and Daigle. Most turn out some flop hard. What if Eitchel turns out to be the far better player? Its certainlyvnot a stretch at all. Buffalo is now in a can't miss situation
- Bieksa#3

How is buffalo in a can't miss? Eichel could totally be a bust.

How is buffalo in a can't miss? Eichel could totally be a bust.
- kaptaan

But they didn't pass on McDavid. What if McDavid is daigle and Eitchel is Malkin?
Don't get me wrong I'd rather have McDavid. But as Mackenzie says its not even close to unanimous amung NHL scouts that McDavid is #1. But he is certainly the majority.

Oh I saw

Not questioning that
- Redmile247

Lack and Markstrom are gonna kill miller in camp nest yr

Some good points. I think a "AHL' rule like that would only benefit both player and team. Detroit seems to have the blueprint on how to handle young talent (as noted, all of the players are nurtured in the AHL before heading to the main club), and that is to ease them in slowly and ensure that patience is given in the growth and handling of such players. That is the recipe for success in the league today. Well, that and good scouting/drafting of course.
- Zogg

I hate the rule forcing teams to send players back to junior ...any idea how long until this rule can be changed ?

Some players are just not quite ready for NHL but can't go to the AHL ...seems like it's more aiding the CHL than the players development

I think you might agree that, based on the reactions of the hockey world in general, it must be a pretty sh*tty time for Eichel right about now

Lack and Markstrom are gonna kill miller in camp nest yr
- Bieksa#3

That's one way to reduce your cap hit

I hate the rule forcing teams to send players back to junior ...any idea how long until this rule can be changed ?

Some players are just not quite ready for NHL but can't go to the AHL ...seems like it's more aiding the CHL than the players development
- Redmile247

That's exactly what it is. It is why players coming from other leagues don't face the same age restrictions.

I hate the rule forcing teams to send players back to junior ...any idea how long until this rule can be changed ?

Some players are just not quite ready for NHL but can't go to the AHL ...seems like it's more aiding the CHL than the players development
- Redmile247

I agree. There seem to be at least a few archaic rules with respect to the draft and player eligibility process. I feel that they need to reassess a number of rules associated with the draft and jr age players. There should definitely be more control throughout. I think that's also up to all facets of the game and controlling interests - including the agents, who often seem like all they want is $$$$ rather than helping a player to reach his full potential as a pro. Something really needs to be done. But it's not like the first time there has been controversy involving a draft selection and I don't see any change in the future unfortunately

I think you might agree that, based on the reactions of the hockey world in general, it must be a pretty sh*tty time for Eichel right about now
- Zogg

Watch Eichel get drafted by buff and request a trade

Watch Eichel get drafted by buff and request a trade
- Redmile247

I would definitely not consider that out of the question lol (but more so, with regard to McDavid and Edmonton ala Lindros early 90's)

I agree. There seem to be at least a few archaic rules with respect to the draft and player eligibility process. I feel that they need to reassess a number of rules associated with the draft and jr age players. There should definitely be more control throughout. I think that's also up to all facets of the game and controlling interests - including the agents, who often seem like all they want is $$$$ rather than helping a player to reach his full potential as a pro. Something really needs to be done. But it's not like the first time there has been controversy involving a draft selection and I don't see any change in the future unfortunately
- Zogg

I agree ...it's a crap situation and I don't see it being fixed anytime soon.

I would definitely not consider that out of the question lol (but more so, with regard to McDavid and Edmonton ala Lindros early 90's)
- Zogg

As much as I would love to see that happen I am fairly confident mcdavid has no intention of that ....but I do think a guy like Eichel could have a bit of resentment for how this has all played out

Series aside we all need to band together and FCK edmonton

Series aside we all need to band together and FCK edmonton
- The-O-G

I think Edmonton already beat us to it and (frank)ed themselves

Series aside we all need to band together and FCK edmonton
- The-O-G

Okay, you take one orifice, Nux'll take the other.

I think Edmonton already beat us to it and (frank)ed themselves
- bezz44

It's just (frank)ing disgusting....

Okay, you take one orifice, Nux'll take the other.
- kaptaan

Now that I've had some time to think about it, I'm okay with EDM getting McDavid. It will nice to be able to see this kind of player play more often. Generally, these guys end up in the East or in Florida. At least he is in Canada, and it's not Toronto.

Now that I've had some time to think about it, I'm okay with EDM getting McDavid. It will nice to be able to see this kind of player play more often. Generally, these guys end up in the East or in Florida. At least he is in Canada, and it's not Toronto.
- PetrolSexual

I would have preferred Arizona getting him, then having the franchise moved to Seattle, then be able to watch him live.