GARTH'S CORNER: Eich, Eich, Baby!

Can we really compare the best in the NCAA with the best in the CHL? One league with fewer games and much less depth of quality players, is Eichel really that good or is it just hype? Shouldn't Srtome be ranked higher?

"The Oilers have nothing left to play for other than their McEichel standings.

So, why risk losing ground to Arizona and Buffalo, who play head to head on 3/26 in Buffalo and again on 3/30 in Arizona? Could it be that the Oilers are focusing their laser pointer on U.S. born D-man Noah Hanifin and the third overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft"

ahh maybe because the players could care less about an extra few percentage points in the draft. A lot of these guys are playing for jobs or contracts, or trying to get some positive momentum to head into next season.

Can we really compare the best in the NCAA with the best in the CHL? One league with fewer games and much less depth of quality players, is Eichel really that good or is it just hype? Shouldn't Srtome be ranked higher?
- CaliNewf

Interesting point. I really dont know how these two leagues really compare. While there is no question the raw talent pool is greater in the chl, their is a greater age and maturity difference in college hockey. Mcdavid is only competing against kids max a year older. Eichel has kids as old as 3 years older he competes against. Maybe that matters...maybe not.

Can we really compare the best in the NCAA with the best in the CHL? One league with fewer games and much less depth of quality players, is Eichel really that good or is it just hype? Shouldn't Srtome be ranked higher?
- CaliNewf

No, he shouldn't, that's why he's not. I'm sure Strome will be a good pro, but he doesnt skate great. Eichel has no warts.

You really think the CHL is better than the NCAA?? I'll take BU in a best of seven over Erie any day.

17 and 18 year olds vs 21 and 22 year olds? I'll take my chances with the college kids.

Interesting point. I really dont know how these two leagues really compare. While there is no question the raw talent pool is greater in the chl, their is a greater age and maturity difference in college hockey. Mcdavid is only competing against kids max a year older. Eichel has kids as old as 3 years older he competes against. Maybe that matters...maybe not.
- cornball

I agree.

Just read this analysis on the relative 'difficulty' of all relevant hockey leagues against each other. While certainly not unequivocal proof, it seems to be pretty well thought out and uses reasonable statistics to make comparisons. Anyways, found this pretty interesting. Here is the thesis:

Summary
The league difficulty for the largest NHL feeder leagues is shown below:

League Difficulty

NHL 1.00
Russian Elite League 0.83
Swedish Elite League 0.78
Czech Republic League 0.74
Finland SM-Liiga 0.54
Deutsche Eishockey League 0.52
AHL 0.443
IHL 0.43
Switzerland National League 0.44
NCAA 0.41
Canadian Major Junior 0.29*

* The difficulty of Canadian Major Junior is lower than predicted by this method since major junior players are 20 years old or younger and consequently experience significant skills growth from year-to-year.
http://www.behindthenet.ca/projecting_to_nhl.php

Just read this analysis on the relative 'difficulty' of all relevant hockey leagues against each other. While certainly not unequivocal proof, it seems to be pretty well thought out and uses reasonable statistics to make comparisons. Anyways, found this pretty interesting. Here is the thesis:

Summary
The league difficulty for the largest NHL feeder leagues is shown below:

League Difficulty

NHL 1.00
Russian Elite League 0.83
Swedish Elite League 0.78
Czech Republic League 0.74
Finland SM-Liiga 0.54
Deutsche Eishockey League 0.52
AHL 0.443
IHL 0.43
Switzerland National League 0.44
NCAA 0.41
Canadian Major Junior 0.29*

* The difficulty of Canadian Major Junior is lower than predicted by this method since major junior players are 20 years old or younger and consequently experience significant skills growth from year-to-year.
http://www.behindthenet.ca/projecting_to_nhl.php
- cornball

Agree. Ive talked to guys who have played in the NHL and NCAA and Major Jr. When I asked who would win a 7 game series between BU and Erie they both said BU in 4.