He was a machine in the first three games when he played weaker competition, including a sub-par Finland team, which is fine. He had better dominate weaker competition. However, when the games mattered (i.e. Canada, and the quarterfinal against Russia), he underwhelmed. It would be one thing if he played well, and nobody else carried their weight, but there were guys on that team that had better games than he did, namely Dylan Larkin. That's what sold it for me, and that's why I'm still a bit sour about not landing McDavid. I don't question whether he will put up points in this league, and help the Sabres win far more games than they lose. What I question is ultimately, how will he do at the next level. So far, he has left a big question mark there, especially when compared to his counterpart, who is dominating the competition on that big stage.
- buffalofan19

Eichel was also facing Canada's top pair of Nurse/Morrissey, while McDavid was being rolled out in a 2nd line role.

Also, I believe that McDavid had his best offensive performance against one of their weakest opponents

There is a high probability he hits on many of those incentives though.

It's more money he will lose.
- dadeadhead

He would hit those anyway whether he stays in school or not. The point is the money he would lose is towards the end of his career. With him getting older and production dropping. The sooner (age wise) he hits his 2nd and 3rd NHL contracts the better for him dollar wise.

I always liked Baptiste
Didn't really love the Bailey pick, but he's doing a great job of proving me wrong so far
If he can get his skating to an nhl level, he plays the style of game we'll all like

I'm very interested in how they'll both do in Rochester next year
- jdfitz77

Bailey always rang as a "He's from Buffalo, let's draft him!" guy, but I've been very glad to see he's doing well, even prior to being on a loaded team he was doing pretty good.

That would ease my stress about Eichel, if O'Connor signed here.
- grand-magus

Maybe he doesn't like O'Connor and now hates him more for (frank)ing up and it keeps Eichel away.

2-way street

Like I said, though, when you're great, you're great. And if McDavid projects to be as great as he's supposed to be, and there's no reason why he shouldn't, that won't matter.
- buffalofan19

Fair enough
But it is possible to "slow down" guys like McDavid in the playoffs
Crosby is a good example to look at though
How many games did he go without scoring?

He was a machine in the first three games when he played weaker competition, including a sub-par Finland team, which is fine. He had better dominate weaker competition. However, when the games mattered (i.e. Canada, and the quarterfinal against Russia), he underwhelmed. It would be one thing if he played well, and nobody else carried their weight, but there were guys on that team that had better games than he did, namely Dylan Larkin. That's what sold it for me, and that's why I'm still a bit sour about not landing McDavid. I don't question whether he will put up points in this league, and help the Sabres win far more games than they lose. What I question is ultimately, how will he do at the next level. So far, he has left a big question mark there, especially when compared to his counterpart, who is dominating the competition on that big stage.
- buffalofan19

It boggles my mind how people can judge an 18 year old on what kind of future he has based on tournaments. Don't get me wrong I rather McDavid (considering I live in a canadian market and they literally have a panel talking about him 24/7) I'm just saying that I don't this this is going to be like the Crosby draft where Bobby Ryan was the 2nd and the different between those two is huge. McDavid and Eichel, I think will be like the Ovi draft where those players do become franchise players for their teams. Look at Ovi back in the World Juniors when he played against Canada, they made him look invisible and then Cody Hodgson when he lead the tournament in scoring and looked like a more complete player then Tavares.....and we all know how thats worked out

Eichel was also facing Canada's top pair of Nurse/Morrissey, while McDavid was being rolled out in a 2nd line role.

Also, I believe that McDavid had his best offensive performance against one of their weakest opponents
- sbroads24

Eichel also played against poopty competition.

Bailey always rang as a "He's from Buffalo, let's draft him!" guy, but I've been very glad to see he's doing well, even prior to being on a loaded team he was doing pretty good.
- stashu

Ya, his skating was what worried me most
He's gonna have to play in the AHL for prob 2-3 years & work on that
He's got the potential to be that big body around the net though
Everyone should be excited so far about how he's progressing

i love reading these articles and the comments. something i never see talked about is Buffalo's goalie situation. forwards and defense is looking pretty great for the near future in my opinion. what about goaltending? ya know the most important position on the ice?

Eichel also played against poopty competition.
- imsorry66

Right, but to act like McDavid dominated while Eichel was underwhelming is completely false. McDavid was Canada's 3rd best forward behind Reinhart and Domi.

I'd say Eichel was maybe their 2nd best guy behind Larkin

Eichel also played against poopty competition.
- imsorry66

EERebody Sucks.

i love reading these articles and the comments. something i never see talked about is Buffalo's goalie situation. forwards and defense is looking pretty great for the near future in my opinion. what about goaltending? ya know the most important position on the ice?
- evanlang11

Looks at goalies in playoffs and also the AVG SV % of .918 this year for the league.

Stops worrying.

EERebody Sucks.
- ImThatGuy

Some do it better than others . I wont judge.

Right, but to act like McDavid dominated while Eichel was underwhelming is completely false. McDavid was Canada's 3rd best forward behind Reinhart and Domi.

I'd say Eichel was maybe their 2nd best guy behind Larkin
- sbroads24

Difference being that McDavid continued that play as the stakes were raised. Again, this isn't saying that Eichel can't, simply that he hasn't yet.

Some do it better than others . I wont judge.
- cabin

It is 2015 after all.....

He would hit those anyway whether he stays in school or not. The point is the money he would lose is towards the end of his career. With him getting older and production dropping. The sooner (age wise) he hits his 2nd and 3rd NHL contracts the better for him dollar wise.
- Stripes77

If he stays in school a year he will only miss out on one years worth of salary. The issue is if he stays for 3 years. It's quite possible he has a 20 year career if he signs after being drafted. So it comes down to making money from 19-39 or 22-39.

If he waits he gets a guaranteed 3.775 (the current rookie max) but will lose 3 years where he could making at least 4.225 mil more.. He loses the cash at the beginning(plus interest if invested properly) more than the end. The money from age 25-39 is going to be closer to the same regardless IMO.

Difference being that McDavid continued that play as the stakes were raised. Again, this isn't saying that Eichel can't, simply that he hasn't yet.
- buffalofan19

Sure if you want to look at it that way.

McDavid was a complimentary player in the WJC, Eichel was their #1 center. Not that McDavid couldn't have been, he just didn't have to. Two different roles.

If he stays in school a year he will only miss out on one years worth of salary. The issue is if he stays for 3 years. It's quite possible he has a 20 year career if he signs after being drafted. So it comes down to making money from 19-39 or 22-39.

If he waits he gets a guaranteed 3.775 (the current rookie max) but will lose 3 years where he could making at least 4.225 mil more.. He loses the cash at the beginning(plus interest if invested properly) more than the end. The money from age 25-39 is going to be closer to the same regardless IMO.
- dadeadhead

Why the hell is this even a conversation? We haven't even drafted the kid yet.

Sure if you want to look at it that way.

McDavid was a complimentary player in the WJC, Eichel was their #1 center. Not that McDavid couldn't have been, he just didn't have to. Two different roles.
- sbroads24

It's more that Canada has the luxury to shelter the younger guys where the US can't. It is why the programs are still miles apart but the gap is closing.

i love reading these articles and the comments. something i never see talked about is Buffalo's goalie situation. forwards and defense is looking pretty great for the near future in my opinion. what about goaltending? ya know the most important position on the ice?
- evanlang11

It's probably because for whatever reason, goaltending is not something the Sabres have generally ever struggled with. It seems they can plug any guy in back there and get a decent amount of success out of him.

Lindback is a prime example of that. Enroth and Neuvirth both looked good prior to their trades as well.

There's plenty of options available to them and there's lots of guys coming up through the system. Plus they do still have Chad Johnson signed for next year. It's not like they have 0 bodies that can play the position.

Sure if you want to look at it that way.

McDavid was a complimentary player in the WJC, Eichel was their #1 center. Not that McDavid couldn't have been, he just didn't have to. Two different roles.
- sbroads24

I do look at it that way. How players play in big games is a huge factor in my book, especially when this franchise has had so few of them.

It's one thing not to dominate in those situations. It's another to be completely invisible, and he was just that in those two games I mentioned.

Why the hell is this even a conversation? We haven't even drafted the kid yet.
- ImThatGuy

It's a conversation because this is a rumor site and there are rumors he may go back to BU.

Don't be that guy that needs to be told to read more, post less..........

I do look at it that way. How players play in big games is a huge factor in my book, especially when this franchise has had so few of them.

It's one thing not to dominate in those situations. It's another to be completely invisible, and he was just that in those two games I mentioned.
- buffalofan19

We should trade the pick.

Edmonton shouldnt draft McDavid, he hasn't proven he can stay healthy. He also makes dumb decisions that hurts his team because it results in him not being on the ice.

i love reading these articles and the comments. something i never see talked about is Buffalo's goalie situation. forwards and defense is looking pretty great for the near future in my opinion. what about goaltending? ya know the most important position on the ice?
- evanlang11

Frankly, I would give Lindback a modest raise and sign him for a couple of years.
then look for a veteran UFA to back him up and see what happens.
If he blows it and we have to send him down, it's not like we have to deal with a 4 million dollar goalie on our cap to play in the minors.
We traded a overachieving nobody for him and then HE started overachieving. i had no problem with his play this year on the Sabres. Albeit, his sample size was small. Hence the modest raise and shorter term.

If he stays in school a year he will only miss out on one years worth of salary. The issue is if he stays for 3 years. It's quite possible he has a 20 year career if he signs after being drafted. So it comes down to making money from 19-39 or 22-39.

If he waits he gets a guaranteed 3.775 (the current rookie max) but will lose 3 years where he could making at least 4.225 mil more.. He loses the cash at the beginning(plus interest if invested properly) more than the end. The money from age 25-39 is going to be closer to the same regardless IMO.
- dadeadhead

if he stays another year at school I will play the " what if game"
he even said I don't want to play somewhere I don't want to be so that tells me he'll play the loophole do I think he'll do it to Buffalo no ... but I have no idea where his head's at

I'll tell you one thing I bet you he would have played the loop hole with the Arizona coyotes I don't think he would play there that's nothing against the fans more to do with the ownership and everything else