When it boils down to it, does it matter too much who starts off their career better? Neither Edmonton or Buffalo are a year away from the finals.

McDavid is the better prospect, although you are right, the power in Eichel ' s skating is 2nd to none really.

People compare him to Getzlaf, he's 5x the skater Getzlaf is
- sbroads24

I am biased because I watch Getzlaf much more than anyone else, and I would prefer to have a guy like him on my team any day of the week.

Just my preference. I wouldn't have hated McDavid, but I am almost relieved with Eichel. Especially with the way the league is going, big bodies that can make things happen... seems to fit Eichel.

Eichel staying in school would cost him millions of dollars in the grand scheme of things:

His entry level deal is 3 years just about a million per. He signs that at 18 when he turns 21 he is making close to $8 million (or more) for the next 7 years. That means when he is 28 he has made $59 million plus (not including endorsements). At 28 is the ending of his peak performing playing days. He signs a 4 year deal making $10 million a season. So now he is at $99 million at age 32. He has maybe 3 years left. Signs a 3 year $12 million per year contract. That is $135 million dollars through his contract. Now lets say he stays in school for one more year. He is 19 and signs his entry level contract. So now he signs his next contract at age 22. $8 million for 7 years. Still at $59 million but now he is 29 instead of 28. Next contract we can still say 4 years at $10 million but remember production starts to decline at age 28. $99 million at age 33. Now he has maybe 2 good years left. Now he will get a 2 year deal probably around $8 million a season now since he is a year old and his production is declining. Now he is at $115 million for his career. That is a $20 million difference by waiting 1 more year. Would you stay in school for 1 more year meaning that's $20 million less you could be making in your career? Is 1 year of school worth $20 million? I don't think so. Not to mention the risk of him being hurt in college and not making any NHL money. So in fact the smart move would be to sign his pro contract.

Eichel staying in school would cost him millions of dollars in the grand scheme of things:

His entry level deal is 3 years just about a million per. He signs that at 18 when he turns 21 he is making close to $8 million (or more) for the next 7 years. That means when he is 28 he has made $59 million plus (not including endorsements). At 28 is the ending of his peak performing playing days. He signs a 4 year deal making $10 million a season. So now he is at $99 million at age 32. He has maybe 3 years left. Signs a 3 year $12 million per year contract. That is $135 million dollars through his contract. Now lets say he stays in school for one more year. He is 19 and signs his entry level contract. So now he signs his next contract at age 22. $8 million for 7 years. Still at $59 million but now he is 29 instead of 28. Next contract we can still say 4 years at $10 million but remember production starts to decline at age 28. $99 million at age 33. Now he has maybe 2 good years left. Now he will get a 2 year deal probably around $8 million a season now since he is a year old and his production is declining. Now he is at $115 million for his career. That is a $20 million difference by waiting 1 more year. Would you stay in school for 1 more year meaning that's $20 million less you could be making in your career? Is 1 year of school worth $20 million? I don't think so. Not to mention the risk of him being hurt in college and not making any NHL money. So in fact the smart move would be to sign his pro contract.
- Stripes77

Murray said, he will ultimately let Jack and his Family decide. He will, however, make the case for him to go. I think the dollar signs will be a big aspect. The charter flights do not go away. The attention grows, and he will always have less of a spotlight than McDavid. He can be the player he wants to be and have less of an expectation in the national scheme of things.

I am biased because I watch Getzlaf much more than anyone else, and I would prefer to have a guy like him on my team any day of the week.

Just my preference. I wouldn't have hated McDavid, but I am almost relieved with Eichel. Especially with the way the league is going, big bodies that can make things happen... seems to fit Eichel.
- thatsapickle

You prefer Eichel to McDavid?? Did you feel this way on Saturday morning as well?

Murray said, he will ultimately let Jack and his Family decide. He will, however, make the case for him to go. I think the dollar signs will be a big aspect. The charter flights do not go away. The attention grows, and he will always have less of a spotlight than McDavid. He can be the player he wants to be and have less of an expectation in the national scheme of things.
- thatsapickle

How long do the teams have to sign these guys? Is it a year or 2?

When it boils down to it, does it matter too much who starts off their career better? Neither Edmonton or Buffalo are a year away from the finals.

McDavid is the better prospect, although you are right, the power in Eichel ' s skating is 2nd to none really.

People compare him to Getzlaf, he's 5x the skater Getzlaf is
- sbroads24

At the end of the day, no. But, it could at least help the team get to the playoffs a bit sooner. Or just be a huge improvement over this past year. But overall, it doesn't.

I'm just happy that we're getting one of them. Both are very special players and are going to be a ton of fun to watch for the next decade plus.

You prefer Eichel to McDavid?? Did you feel this way on Saturday morning as well?
- imsorry66

We all felt differently about some things on Saturday morning. We all died a little bit inside on Saturday night.

You prefer Eichel to McDavid?? Did you feel this way on Saturday morning as well?
- imsorry66

We all felt differently about some things on Saturday morning. We all died a little bit inside on Saturday night.

You prefer Eichel to McDavid?? Did you feel this way on Saturday morning as well?
- imsorry66

its a coping mechanism.. just let him be..

but either way we get a solid player that we shoul dbe able to build around

You prefer Eichel to McDavid?? Did you feel this way on Saturday morning as well?
- imsorry66

yeah.

It's my preference. I think he's better suited for the league now.

Maybe they will take Marner. I could also see Arizona trading out of #3.
- Pierceme69

Idk, Marner is a winger
I think they really wanted a #1 center
A top pair defenseman isn't too shabby though

I could seethe Leafs try to switch places with Arizona, but I think the Coyotes want a center too so I'm not sure why they would?
The Leafs would prob have to offer more than they should to get Arizona to do it

Michael Pachla: If Jack Eichel decides on another year at Boston University, so what?
- Michael Pachla

You shut your whor.....

Nvm.



Nothing any one of us can do about it....

yeah.

It's my preference. I think he's better suited for the league now.
- thatsapickle

When you're talking about this kind of skill, the "better suited for" goes out the window. Great is great. And McDavid is simply that. Eichel appears to be too, but there's a reason 30 GMs out of 30 would take McDavid first.

Despite what Murray says, Eichel is a consolation prize, a very good one, but a consolation prize nonetheless.

Idk, Marner is a winger
I think they really wanted a #1 center
A top pair defenseman isn't too shabby though

I could seethe Leafs try to switch places with Arizona, but I think the Coyotes want a center too so I'm not sure why they would?
The Leafs would prob have to offer more than they should to get Arizona to do it
- jdfitz77

If Zona takes Strome, Leafs will be ecstatic to grab Hanifin.

yeah.

It's my preference. I think he's better suited for the league now.
- thatsapickle

To each his own but McDavid will be better than Crosby.

When you're talking about this kind of skill, the "better suited for" goes out the window. Great is great. And McDavid is simply that. Eichel appears to be too, but there's a reason 30 GMs out of 30 would take McDavid first.

Despite what Murray says, Eichel is a consolation prize, a very good one, but a consolation prize nonetheless.
- buffalofan19

This^

yeah.

It's my preference. I think he's better suited for the league now.
- thatsapickle

You should be incredibly happy that you are getting Eichel - guy has "franchise" tag written all over him.
That said, anyone that would pass on McDavid (even for Eichel) is plain out of their mind. McDavid is so ridiculously talented he will be dominating this league in short time. As for your size comment, he's 6ft1" and 190lbs at 18yrs old - very nice size for an elite skilled center.

Educate the old guy here... Are there any excellent prospects for the 2016 draft? Just wondering...

Educate the old guy here... Are there any excellent prospects for the 2016 draft? Just wondering...
- rapperray

The glaring one is Austin Matthews - another "franchise" tag type player. Not McDavid good but definitely considered Eichel good.

Educate the old guy here... Are there any excellent prospects for the 2016 draft? Just wondering...
- rapperray

We shouldn't look that far ahead Ray.

Eichel staying in school would cost him millions of dollars in the grand scheme of things:

His entry level deal is 3 years just about a million per. He signs that at 18 when he turns 21 he is making close to $8 million (or more) for the next 7 years. That means when he is 28 he has made $59 million plus (not including endorsements). At 28 is the ending of his peak performing playing days. He signs a 4 year deal making $10 million a season. So now he is at $99 million at age 32. He has maybe 3 years left. Signs a 3 year $12 million per year contract. That is $135 million dollars through his contract. Now lets say he stays in school for one more year. He is 19 and signs his entry level contract. So now he signs his next contract at age 22. $8 million for 7 years. Still at $59 million but now he is 29 instead of 28. Next contract we can still say 4 years at $10 million but remember production starts to decline at age 28. $99 million at age 33. Now he has maybe 2 good years left. Now he will get a 2 year deal probably around $8 million a season now since he is a year old and his production is declining. Now he is at $115 million for his career. That is a $20 million difference by waiting 1 more year. Would you stay in school for 1 more year meaning that's $20 million less you could be making in your career? Is 1 year of school worth $20 million? I don't think so. Not to mention the risk of him being hurt in college and not making any NHL money. So in fact the smart move would be to sign his pro contract.
- Stripes77

This X100.
this is exactly what an agent does which is exactly why they drive $100.000 cars.
At the end, its all about money in the bank. When the counter argument is "Unfinished business winning the NCAA title" I ask how many people on this board, sabres fans or not, would trade that kind of money for a college championship.
Plus, Eichel hasn't been drafted by Buffalo yet, if others are going to play the "who knows what could happen" thing AND he already has a slam-piece waiting for him there if he does....

Educate the old guy here... Are there any excellent prospects for the 2016 draft? Just wondering...
- rapperray

There's a kid from Arizona that is already projected to be #1 next year. Austin Matthews is supposed to be in Eichel territory.

We shouldn't look that far ahead Ray.
- cabin

Well Cab... Let's be prepared eh?

Well Cab... Let's be prepared eh?
- rapperray

What was the question ?

The glaring one is Austin Matthews - another "franchise" tag type player. Not McDavid good but definitely considered Eichel good.
- Cooshie

And the Sabres have a bushel full of choices in 2016 don't they?