Might only be me but so far Eichel and Dahlin are even better than I imagined they would be after reading all the scouts etc. I know they don't count, but wanted to throw that in.
- kingcong39

They were both talked about as generational players, so the expectations are sky high. Pretty early to talk about Dahlin exceeding. Eichel? As much as I like him, if your expectation was generational, he's not quite there.

When you're a top 2 pick, meeting expectations isn't really a slight.

They were both talked about as generational players, so the expectations are sky high. Pretty early to talk about Dahlin exceeding. Eichel? As much as I like him, if your expectation was generational, he's not quite there.

When you're a top 2 pick, meeting expectations isn't really a slight.
- Lunaion

Eichel has been everything I could have expected/anticipated

He is a mega superstar
A generational (sabres) player

Dahlin's hype being the best defenseman possibly ever drafted is difficult to meet.

His point totals and physical play are on par with my expectations.
Defensively slightly below my expectations (18 year old)

Eichel has been everything I could have expected/anticipated

He is a mega superstar
A generational (sabres) player

Dahlin's hype being the best defenseman possibly ever drafted is difficult to meet.

His point totals and physical play are on par with my expectations.
Defensively slightly below my expectations (18 year old)
- Boss34

When I think about the fact that Dahlin was the youngest NHL defenseman to ever score a goal, it wows me every time

Eichel has been everything I could have expected/anticipated

He is a mega superstar
A generational (sabres) player

Dahlin's hype being the best defenseman possibly ever drafted is difficult to meet.

His point totals and physical play are on par with my expectations.
Defensively slightly below my expectations (18 year old)
- Boss34

I know people hate advanced statistics on this board but what he is doing on the ice now hes doing at a better level then Hedman and Karlsson present day over the past month and a half as an 18 year old. Dahlin is the McDavid of D-men. Watching what hes doing now I can only imagine what he'll be doing when he's 21-24 years old.

I know people hate advanced statistics on this board but what he is doing on the ice now hes doing at a better level then Hedman and Karlsson present day over the past month and a half as an 18 year old. Dahlin is the McDavid of D-men. Watching what hes doing now I can only imagine what he'll be doing when he's 21-24 years old.
- Pegullaville

Which is why Botts, imo, stays the course.

When Dahlin is 21-24, Jack is only 25-28.

I know people hate advanced statistics on this board but what he is doing on the ice now hes doing at a better level then Hedman and Karlsson present day over the past month and a half as an 18 year old. Dahlin is the McDavid of D-men. Watching what hes doing now I can only imagine what he'll be doing when he's 21-24 years old.
- Pegullaville

No one on this board hates advanced stats, we just selectively emphasize which ones fit our narratives

No one on this board hates advanced stats, we just selectively emphasize which ones fit our narratives
- jcragcrumple

Yes, but you only do this on 63% of your posts, which goes up slightly to 67% on the weekends, but only when Saturdays fall on an even number, during one of your benders.

Which is why Botts, imo, stays the course.

When Dahlin is 21-24, Jack is only 25-28.
- Powerslave

I know I'm in the minority on this board hoping that we slip a little further in the standings here but we can really stack the cupboards with great players in this years draft. Never say never in the regards to the draft lottery either with three chances to get one of those top 3 picks.

Eichel has been everything I could have expected/anticipated

He is a mega superstar
A generational (sabres) player

Dahlin's hype being the best defenseman possibly ever drafted is difficult to meet.

His point totals and physical play are on par with my expectations.
Defensively slightly below my expectations (18 year old)
- Boss34

I think you hit on it. When you're talked about as generational, and then you're 'only' a franchise player, you're below expectations....even if those expectations were probably a little too lofty.

I love both players. The expectations on top 2 picks are just that high (and immediate) now. Is it even possible for Dahlin to exceed? I'm not sure it is.

Yes, but you only do this on 63% of your posts, which goes up slightly to 67% on the weekends, but only when Saturdays fall on an even number, during one of your benders.
- Powerslave

Seems legit

When I think about the fact that Dahlin was the youngest NHL defenseman to ever score a goal, it wows me every time
- jcragcrumple

Except it's not true. He's the youngest in the last 23 years though. Still cool.

I think you hit on it. When you're talked about as generational, and then you're 'only' a franchise player, you're below expectations....even if those expectations were probably a little too lofty.

I love both players. The expectations on top 2 picks are just that high (and immediate) now. Is it even possible for Dahlin to exceed? I'm not sure it is.
- Lunaion

Sure it is. I read everything pre-draft, but his play so far is beyond even what I expected, and again, that is only me.

They were both talked about as generational players, so the expectations are sky high. Pretty early to talk about Dahlin exceeding. Eichel? As much as I like him, if your expectation was generational, he's not quite there.

When you're a top 2 pick, meeting expectations isn't really a slight.
- Lunaion

Which is why I said so far.

Except it's not true. He's the youngest in the last 23 years though. Still cool.
- Lunaion

I shouldn't have trusted MSG's fact checkers

Sure it is. I read everything pre-draft, but his play so far is beyond even what I expected, and again, that is only me.
- kingcong39

That's fine, this is a true off-week discussion.

As amazing as McDavid is, he's only met his expectations in my book.

Sure it is. I read everything pre-draft, but his play so far is beyond even what I expected, and again, that is only me.
- kingcong39

Looks like dahlin is gonna fall short of rookie of the year.

That was one of my expectations

Looks like dahlin is gonna fall short of rookie of the year.

That was one of my expectations
- Boss34

Pettersson is having the 4th best statistical rookie season in the last 20 years. Not even McDavid had this many PPG at this point. Slighting Dahlin for that is kind of harsh.

Pettersson is having the 4th best statistical rookie season in the last 20 years. Not even McDavid had this many PPG at this point. Slighting Dahlin for that is kind of harsh.
- Pegullaville

Ya,
I'm more concerned about Mitts falling short, way short of expectations.
He needs to show some kind of life when he returns.

Ya,
I'm more concerned about Mitts falling short, way short of expectations.
He needs to show some kind of life when he returns.
- IonSabres

Yes he does. Dahlin and Mitts are in the Bahamas rn though according to Instagram. Hopefully getting some time away helps Mittelstadt.

Pettersson is having the 4th best statistical rookie season in the last 20 years. Not even McDavid had this many PPG at this point. Slighting Dahlin for that is kind of harsh.
- Pegullaville

Good post

Dahlin was supposed to be a lock though

I know I'm in the minority on this board hoping that we slip a little further in the standings here but we can really stack the cupboards with great players in this years draft. Never say never in the regards to the draft lottery either with three chances to get one of those top 3 picks.
- Pegullaville

I'm just so done with worrying about draft position. 😞

Yes he does. Dahlin and Mitts are in the Bahamas rn though according to Instagram. Hopefully getting some time away helps Mittelstadt.
- Pegullaville

Just as long as we don't get Jorts 2.0 we'll be ok.

Good post

Dahlin was supposed to be a lock though
- Boss34

Last time I checked there are 34 games left for him to make his mark. Not over till the fat lady sings.

Nylander will be miles away, safely on the perimeter of play.
Seriously, I did hear that Taylor r des him hard in games and practjce to o to the net and get dirty.
You wou d think after a season and a half he would know what to do by now!
- IonSabres

Pretty good article on Nylander in the Athletic a few days ago. Here's a quote from C. Taylor on him...

“He’s growing every day and he’s acknowledging some things he can be better at. That only makes us help him out even more and help himself out,” Americans coach Chris Taylor said. “He’s taking care of his game. One-on-one video all the time, he’s working hard after practice, he’s doing the little things, he’s asking the right questions. I think before last year, coming from an injury to a team that was successful, he couldn’t find his way a little bit and it was hard. It’s tougher to do that, but I thought he did a lot better at the end of the year.
“But this year he’s had a full year with the guys, he’s maturing. He’s 20 years old now. He’s almost like a three-year vet, but not a 23-year-old. You understand he’s still only 20 years old and he’s still maturing. He’s becoming a leader. He’s playing big minutes for us. He had the shootout goal in Laval (Jan. 4) and I think he’s getting confidence off that. He’s getting better every day.”

Oilers fire chiarelli hire Murray in the offseason
- Boss34

Sweet! McDavid = Not a Murrayguy™
We can trade Murray all his draft picks to him for McDavid!