You are saying that as if its a guarantee
- MCGUIZZY

It almost is.

Crosby/Malkin/Letang/Kessel all making big money.

They need to invest money into the blueline.

Bonino is up after this year

Even if that were to be true....we don't have another one close to him to compare us to Dallas's firepower. It's a moot point
- sbroads24

I think Reinhart will be an absolute stud. He's a guy you have to watch a lot to really understand how good he is. He makes plays so easily and must have eyes in the back of his head. After that you have ROR who I would take over Spezza everyday of the week. Who says Dallas is the model franchise either? I dont see a Risto on their team.

Even if that were to be true....we don't have another one close to him to compare us to Dallas's firepower. It's a moot point
- sbroads24

Benn and seguin are both top 5 scorers. IMO jamie benn could be the best all around player in the nhl at the moment

I love your enthusiasm but there is a player that was drafted before him that might have a thing or two to say about that...

Hatty
- Stripes77

The same guy who spent half the season in the medical trainers room? I prefer my players on the ice for 82 games.

I think Reinhart will be an absolute stud. He's a guy you have to watch a lot to really understand how good he is. He makes plays so easily and must have eyes in the back of his head. After that you have ROR who I would take over Spezza everyday of the week. Who says Dallas is the model franchise either? I dont see a Risto on their team.
- ASU_Sabres14

Ok....again, Dallas has 2 of the best scorers in the game right now.

They would have been probably 2 and 3 if Seguin didn't get hurt.

I'm sorry but our 2 do not compare yet....at all.

And no one said model after Dallas

The same guy who spent half the season in the medical trainers room? I prefer my players on the ice for 82 games.
- ASU_Sabres14

That same guy only had 8 points less than Eichel while playing in 36 less games...

The same guy who spent half the season in the medical trainers room? I prefer my players on the ice for 82 games.
- ASU_Sabres14

Your assumption that this trend will continue is not a very good one.

Im right there with you. As a Sabre fan I try to check my bias as much as I can but I dont see any other team in the northeast with an open spot in their top 6 with his best friend who happens to be a franchise player. Sure he can go to Toronto but they're gunna be terrible next year and actually have a lot of young players in their system. Buffalo just seems like the perfect fit.
- ASU_Sabres14

i just had to go back and highlight this statement.. you need to check it a little but mre

That same guy only had 8 points less than Eichel while playing in 36 less games...
- Stripes77

32 assists.

Means Oilers had finishers to put the puck in the net.

32 assists.

Means Oilers had finishers to put the puck in the net.
- cabin

like Hall

is the finn they picked up a finisher? will he be a suitable replacement for Hall in that lineup (eventually)

32 assists.

Means Oilers had finishers to put the puck in the net.
- cabin

That's what he does though.

McDavid is the ultimate playmaker.

I am not saying Eichel isn't going to be good but when McDavid puts up 85 points next year I can't say at age 26 Eichel will be the best player in the league...

Top 10 I can say but the best?

like Hall

is the finn they picked up a finisher? will he be a suitable replacement for Hall in that lineup (eventually)
- IndianaSabresFan

Hall had 26 goals, not like he put up 40 (even though we all know he is that good)

That's what he does though.

McDavid is the ultimate playmaker.

I am not saying Eichel isn't going to be good but when McDavid puts up 85 points next year I can't say at age 26 Eichel will be the best player in the league...

Top 10 I can say but the best?
- Stripes77

it would be difficult to classify anyone as the best player in the league in 5 years.. we have no clue what is going to happen. but all things point to McDavid being that guy

I feel like I stumbled onto the Edmonton board... There is an enormous difference between Eichel playing almost a complete season on a terrible team and Mcdavid being injured repeatedly and then shining during his 40 game stint. You can project Mcdavid to get 85 points but I am wrong to project him playing less than 60games..? Not sure where that logic comes from. Mcdavid isnt a 6'3 215lb beast either so im not counting out Jack, he would have gone first in every draft since crosby and blew mcdavid away at the combine.

i just had to go back and highlight this statement.. you need to check it a little but mre
- IndianaSabresFan

I need to check it because I have positive things to say? Alright buddy, not like im predicting Eich to score 60 and the Sabres win the cup.

I feel like I stumbled onto the Edmonton board... There is an enormous difference between Eichel playing almost a complete season on a terrible team and Mcdavid being injured repeatedly and then shining during his 40 game stint. You can project Mcdavid to get 85 points but I am wrong to project him playing less than 60games..? Not sure where that logic comes from. Mcdavid isnt a 6'3 215lb beast either so im not counting out Jack, he would have gone first in every draft since crosby and blew mcdavid away at the combine.
- ASU_Sabres14

Jack is 1 inch taller and weighs 10 more pounds than McDavid...not like he he is 3 inches taller and weighs 30 pound more

Yes Jack WOULD have gone first in any other year but he didn't which means everyone thought there was a better player in that draft, which anyone that isn't the ultimate homer can agree with.

We all wanted McDavid but are super happy with Eichel.

Jack is going to be a great player no doubt, but McDavid will always be a step above him in everyone's eyes.

So if Jack get hurt (please don't) and misses a good chunk of time this year can we say he is injury prone after one injury?

Come on now

I feel like I stumbled onto the Edmonton board... There is an enormous difference between Eichel playing almost a complete season on a terrible team and Mcdavid being injured repeatedly and then shining during his 40 game stint. You can project Mcdavid to get 85 points but I am wrong to project him playing less than 60games..? Not sure where that logic comes from. Mcdavid isnt a 6'3 215lb beast either so im not counting out Jack, he would have gone first in every draft since crosby and blew mcdavid away at the combine.
- ASU_Sabres14

I'm very happy that the Sabres have Eichel, but IMO there is no argument that McDavid is the better player.

i just had to go back and highlight this statement.. you need to check it a little but mre
- IndianaSabresFan

In the Northeast which is Philadelphia, Buffalo, Detroit, Boston, NYR, NYI the only center in that area above Eichel right now in terms of overall ability would be Taveres and since they are really not considered contenders for Eichel I'd say we have the best option of a player to play with for him. Now if Chicago or Pittsburgh come into the fold we my have to worry because they have deeper teams

Jack is 1 inch taller and weighs 10 more pounds than McDavid...not like he he is 3 inches taller and weighs 30 pound more

Yes Jack WOULD have gone first in any other year but he didn't which means everyone thought there was a better player in that draft, which anyone that isn't the ultimate homer can agree with.

We all wanted McDavid but are super happy with Eichel.

Jack is going to be a great player no doubt, but McDavid will always be a step above him in everyone's eyes.

So if Jack get hurt (please don't) and misses a good chunk of time this year can we say he is injury prone after one injury?

Come on now
- Stripes77

Except for maybe 2008. Stamkos was just as good of a prospect

- SABRES 89

You're going to regret that decision

Half of America will be doing this

http://youtu.be/Bf3e9Cl1-Bs

So to me Eichel was stiffed on line mates last year. I would bet Eichel has 60+ this year.

I watched a replay of all his goals last year (I saw them all already, just not in a while) and most looked like innocent plays and then he watch him blow it past the goalie from an angle that is crazy. His setup / play making skills are crazy good too, but no one could finish he passes (except when McCabe scored an offside goal, what BS).

He will be very special this year.

Jack is 1 inch taller and weighs 10 more pounds than McDavid...

Yes Jack WOULD have gone first in any other year but he didn't which means everyone thought there was a better player in that draft, which anyone that isn't the ultimate homer can agree with.

We all wanted McDavid but are super happy with Eichel.

Jack is going to be a great player no doubt, but McDavid will always be a step above him in everyone's eyes.

So if Jack get hurt (please don't) and misses a good chunk of time this year can we say he is injury prone after one injury?

Come on now
- Stripes77

Yes good job, you typed out a couple facts with a sprinkle of opinion. What I am saying is you can talk about scouts and drafts and this and that but I dont really care. I care about that player being on the ice making a difference. Connor Mcdavid played a half season. Eich played 81 games and had more points. So what I am trying to say is that, yes maybe Mcdavid was pegged as "the next one" but until he plays a full season and scores insane amounts of points like you claim he will, I am more than happy with Jack Eichel being the franchise center who brings a cup to Buffalo.

edit: this argument started over a post saying Benn and Seguin are as good if not better than Eich will be. Had nothing to do with Mcdavid originally.

Except for maybe 2008. Stamkos was just as good of a prospect
- sbroads24

True very true.

That would have been an interesting debate...Stamkos or Eichel...most people would have said Stamkos because he's Canadian IMO

You're going to regret that decision

Half of America will be doing this

http://youtu.be/Bf3e9Cl1-Bs
- GERBE!!!75PTS

Gerbe's stop...

So to me Eichel was stiffed on line mates last year. I would bet Eichel has 60+ this year.

I watched a replay of all his goals last year (I saw them all already, just not in a while) and most looked like innocent plays and then he watch him blow it past the goalie from an angle that is crazy. His setup / play making skills are crazy good too, but no one could finish he passes (except when McCabe scored an offside goal, what BS).

He will be very special this year.
- Lilroot9

You also have to take into account that he will be well rested this year. Last year was a whirlwind for him, this year his only focus will be on the Sabres.