Eichel=Joe Thornton
- John Jaeckel

I don't get that comparison at all. Joe is a quiet fun loving guy.

Eichel has been coming across as a complete douche.

Completely different playing styles too. Eichel is a puck hog. Joe is a pass first guy.

Well thanks to him and his big mouth it IS context now, isn't it?
- paulr

No, it IS context because someone he spoke to in private brought it public. Here is the quite form Boston Globe

"Eichel told his questioners, in a respectful but confident manner, that he would be better than Connor McDavid, his Canadian foil."

Not sure why that would be such a big deal in an interview.

Missing my point. The NHL will find the best and play them no matter what. Those who talk about it for a living don't always have the same altruistic viewpoint.
- emcane

Exactly! So where does the comment about the Great White North enter it? You are one of the few who seem to have an issue with a player's passport.

Missing my point. The NHL will find the best and play them no matter what. Those who talk about it for a living don't always have the same altruistic viewpoint.
- emcane

So if you disagree, name the people who's opinions are skewed and you don't agree with. And who is the true hockey mecca (your words not mine)?

No, it IS context because someone he spoke to in private brought it public. Here is the quite form Boston Globe

"Eichel told his questioners, in a respectful but confident manner, that he would be better than Connor McDavid, his Canadian foil."

Not sure why that would be such a big deal in an interview.
- emcane

You sound like his relative so i will respectfully back out of the debate.

Why would Toronto want Sharp?

Because they suck, need leaders, new attitude and scoring.

You sound like his relative so i will respectfully back out of the debate.
- paulr

I am no relation to the dude, I know him as well as you do. And have already said he may be a D-bag, I have no way to know. Your insistence that he is going around mouthing off that he is better than McDavid publicly is an incorrect characterization of what occurred, and that is what I am pointing out. Please point me to where he said this publicly and I will stand corrected.

So if you disagree, name the people who's opinions are skewed and you don't agree with. And who is the true hockey mecca (your words not mine)?
- RickJ

Not sure there needs to be a true hockey mecca, my bias is for my team, not the country the players originated from. Will say this is an opinion that you don't need to share.

I am no relation to the dude, I know him as well as you do. And have already said he may be a D-bag, I have no way to know. Your instance that he is going around mouthing off that he is better than McDavid publicly is an incorrect characterization of what occurred, and that is what I am pointing out. Please point me to where he said this publicly and I will stand corrected.
- emcane

Point to where I said publicly. I said he is on record and seeing as he is on record I'm not sure where your issue is, unless it's with the Great White North?

Point to where I said publicly. I said he is on record and seeing as he is on record I'm not sure where your issue is, unless it's with the Great White North?
- paulr

My point is he was not on record, he was privately speaking. Someone else went on record. I see a difference between the 2, you may not.

It would be disappointing. But, even if you have to eat $1.5mil, that other $2.5mil can be used for a Desi or Richie or, hell, 2 or 3 rooks that will probably be up next year.

Also, rumblings of the Hawks being a front-runner for Reilly if he doesn't sign with the Jackets which doesn't look likely. And the Hawks are desperate for a lefty on the blue line.
- 1mbecker

Reilly already not signing with the Jackets.. as of June 15th he is a FA and free to sign anywhere and told Jackets he will not sign with them.

McDavid=Gretzky

Eichel=Kesler
- Iggysbff


BINGO!!!!!!

Reilly already not signing with the Jackets.. as of June 15th he is a FA and free to sign anywhere and told Jackets he will not sign with them.
- CaptainInsano

people have stated that he actually can't sign until 7/1 when UFAs can be signed.

Eichel didn't "go on record", he answered questions in a private interview. He has confidence and should. It sucks that teams that won't have the chance to draft him, let that information out, but that is how the game is played. Kid looked good in the Worlds playing against NHLers. Think some of this is from people who still hold "the Great White North" as the true hockey mecca and trash any threat to that.
- emcane

Yep....if Eichel were Canadian it would be viewed as great confidence, etc..........

people have stated that he actually can't sign until 7/1 when UFAs can be signed.
- stljam

Correct.

As far as the cap number, I heard NHL Network say that it should be revealed just before or on draft day (6/26).

people have stated that he actually can't sign until 7/1 when UFAs can be signed.
- stljam

nope it was 30 days after he left UM, which was the 20th, and the 15th is when columbus rights expired. So he now officially free to sign

at least that's how I understood it

I don't know who Bdgallof on twitter is but he is claiming the asking price for sharp is a first round pick,an a level prospect and a player on an elc. no waste and gets all that when everyone knows chicago is in cap trouble

Correct.

As far as the cap number, I heard NHL Network say that it should be revealed just before or on draft day (6/26).
- darkman

I believe the Cap Number was released around noon on draft day last year as well IIRC.

nope it was 30 days after he left UM, which was the 20th, and the 15th is when columbus rights expired. So he now officially free to sign

at least that's how I understood it
- DDM-Coga

Exactly why I stated that people have stated....not sure exactly what is right since I have read a lot of conflicting stuff and am too lazy to read my pdf version of the CBA since the Blues aren't likely to sign him

Yep....if Eichel were Canadian it would be viewed as great confidence, etc..........
- SteveRain

No one in hockey likes a big big mouth braggart Canadian or American. Ever wonder why Lindros was never embraced by Canadians even though he backed up his arrogance? Everyone loves Toews in large part because of his humility. No one likes Evander Kane in large part because of his arrogance. Self promoting and arrogance belongs in basketball.

Exactly why I stated that people have stated....not sure exactly what is right since I have read a lot of conflicting stuff and am too lazy to read my pdf version of the CBA since the Blues aren't likely to sign him
- stljam

I think the kid will make his decision prior to the draft, if he signs then or after July 1st, it doesnt matter, he will make his decision sooner rather than later

Here's another interesting facet...........Richards.

When they move Sharp, those are some goals that are going to have to be made up somewhere in the lineup. It's no coincidence that Kane's BEST regular season occurred playing with an actual guy who can get Kane the puck. if you are going to utilize your team's best offensive asset, I tend to think the Hawks will reach out to Richards and see if they can get him on the cheap again for 1 year, maybe 2, if the cap hit is low enough.

We can rip Q all we want for his lineups but he did a fascinating job keeping Richards fresh for the playoff run. Plus you don't get Richards back, then you are back in the hunt for a legit 2C and have a MAJOR center depth issue on this team.
- SteveRain

88 points with Toews was his best year... At least for a full NHL season.

Though the last two years, if he stays healthy he is probably in the 35 to 40 goal range so I guess it depends on how you look at it.

Either way, yes a real center is important.

Screwsville.
- EKolb13

Nice Rockford reference, eh?

Frozen four.

It is tough for me to try and change my view on eichel based on just this.

He is Toews like in terms of strength and sees the ice well.

You gotta understand the jump to college is abig omne in terms of bigger older guys knocking you...and pro, well you gotta come ready.

I would stand in line to obtain Eichel's services - and kid s are just that.

I remember a taxi cab party boy supreme who has somehow charged the Chicago perception of him so Eichel can change for the better, if there is a entitlement issue. (Interesting just remembering how the teams thought Kesell and his da were that way?)

Eichel is a goal scorer, a very intutitive set up guy and doesn't take the defensiev side off.

Look at Sam Reinhart, Sam bennett, Leon Draisaitl, Sasha Alexsander Barkov, or Jonathan Drouin, Sean Monahan, Nail Yakupov, Filip Forsberg,even Nathan MacKinnon who is clearly above the names i mentioned before him...and none is close in terms of having the rare combination of all tthe parts, the game , the head, the feet, hands, stick are Eichel.

To select him is a no-brainer; you get an NHL player no matter if he reaches his high water mark if he ends up on wing or if he plays as thrid line guy. There is no chance of NOT getting a NHL guy from his selection.

Eichel=Joe Thornton
- John Jaeckel

First ballot hall of famer...