"Yo, Connor. How much do you bench? Squat?" pic.twitter.com/GC8vOplDKJ
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) June 4, 2015Jack Eichel wants you to know that there is no better player in the 2015 NHL Draft than Jack Eichel.
Jack Eichel endorses this statement.
The BU Terriers freshman led the nation in scoring in 2014-15 and is a mortal lock to be taken second overall by the Buffalo Sabres at the NHL Draft later this month. Eichel has been making a lasting impression on his future employer, his adoring public and his future season ticket holders. Eichel has a message for his future GM Tim Murray:
I’m the best player in the McEichel Draft and I’m going to prove it to you.
Murray confirmed Eichel’s boast when he guested on WGR radio on Thursday afternoon.
“He's had a tremendous year. I don't know why he wouldn't believe he is the best player in this draft….
Murray, Dan Bylsma and the Buffalo scouts interviewed Eichel at the NHL Combine on Wednesday. It was an open, honest, candid conversation.
Murray said that Eichel showed up to his face-to-face meeting with the Sabres ready, prepared, quick and impressive.
Murray cleared the air with Eichel relative to his displeasure with losing the NHL Draft Lottery to the Edmonton Oilers. Murray is a consummate competitor and he let his emotions get the better of him after the 30th place Sabres lost the the NHL Draft Lottery for the second season in a row. Murray being the competitor that he is, hates losing. In hindsight, Murray appeared to be perturbed in his post-Draft Lottery presser when he was asked about losing out on the first overall pick and Connor McDavid. Murray said Thursday that he was never disappointed in the player the Sabres were going to get in the lottery, more so on the numbers changing during our rebuild.
Buffalo finished the 2014-15 season in last place in the NHL with a record of 23-51-8.
Eichel will be relied upon heavily to be the prime mover of the ongoing Buffalo rebuild. Eichel will join a young core that includes Samson Reinhart, Tyler Ennis, Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nikita Zadorov, Marcus Foligno, Nic Deslauriers, Mark Pysyk, Jake McCabe, Mikhail Grigorenko and more.
Murray will select at #2, #21, #31 and #51 in the McEichel Draft.
Eichel told the NHL Network that he thinks that it would be great to make Buffalo his NHL home.
"I'm trying to take everything in I think just like everyone else. I think it would be exciting to be a Sabre," said Eichel. "It would be exciting to be called by any team in the NHL. It's uncertain where I'll be picked but obviously it's looking like it's going to be Buffalo, you never know."
Thanks, WGR Buffalo
The Combine fitness testing is scheduled to be conducted on Saturday.
The NHL Draft is set to begin on June 26 in Sunrise, Florida.
**
Master Chief Murray
Tim Murray-Halo master. @Schopptalk @faketimmurray @SabresBuzz @BuffaloSabres #halo5 #NHLCombine @Bulldogwgr pic.twitter.com/OS2CicYXwo
— Tony Felich (@tonyfelich) June 5, 2015