Eichel or Matthews?

[eXtRa]

I'll take Matthews. I could be wrong, but I believe his production at every stage prior to the NHL was higher than Eichel's (point-wise). I think the trend will continue into the NHL although its probably a little too early to say for sure.

[Crazy Joe Davola]

I love how this thread has zero consensus. I prefer Eichel myself, but it is really close.

Eichel is the better skater and is also afforded a prime ROR to play behind him and take on all the tough assignments, thus leaving Jack to get tons of offensive start times (53.5 last year and 77% this year ((small sample)); whereas Matthews is likely to be groomed into a stud all-around force. That means matching up and being a horse, ala Kopitar, Toews...

I still think Matthews is capable of being a 80+ point player, I just see Eichel getting there with more regularity and with a slightly higher ceiling.

[tobias]

I wouldn't trade my Eichel for Matthews, but I suspect that the Matthews owner wouldn't trade him to me for Eichel, either.

I prefer Eichel. I feel as though Babcock will demand that strong play on the defensive side of the puck out of Matthews more than Eichel will have it demanded out of him in Buffalo.

[pmorrow]

I wouldn't trade my Eichel for Matthews, but I suspect that the Matthews owner wouldn't trade him to me for Eichel, either.

Feel this will be true almost across the board which is a strong indicator it's very close. I think Matthews is maybe closer to Eichel than people thought in 2015, but I'll still give Eich an edge for the time being.

[GinFizz]

Eichel for me regardless of what havanblast21 says..

[Jouko-Pouko]

Feel this will be true almost across the board which is a strong indicator it's very close. I think Matthews is maybe closer to Eichel than people thought in 2015, but I'll still give Eich an edge for the time being.

I think the discussion in 2015 was that Matthews would have challenged Eichel for #2 if he was eligible (it was discussed since he was close to being eligible, just like Nolan Patrick this year). So I think scouts have seen them with similar upside for a while now. Matthews definitely would have been a top-3 pick in 2015 if he was eligible.

[Kabonov]

Straight points, Matthews. 95-105 point (realistic) upside. Eichel is more 85-95.

how many years out you talking about?

[chuckcouples]

I prefer Eichel but it is close enough that it could go either way.

[fungchen3]

re: Kabonov

In their prime. It might take Matthews 3-4 years to hit / break 90 but he'll do it. He'll eventually hit 100 too IMO. Eichel will be a steady 80-88 point guy for a long time.

BTW: I tried to "reply with quote" but it wouldn't let me use the space bar between characters if I did.

[lucafen4]

I want Matthews, but I'm not going to shed a tear if I get 'stuck' with Eichel instead.

Over a 5yr avg I can see Matthews having a point advantage but it doesn't mean there won't be a year or two where Eichel outpoints him. it's going to be close.

The difference is going to be the quality of linemates. I really like what Tor. has in place and coming up a lot better than Buffalo. in two years, a Tor power play is going consist of Matthews, Marner, Nylander Rielly as the staples.

Eichel's going to have ROR, Reinhart, Risto... there's a different level of offensive gifts, creativity and talent surrounding AM. That'll be the difference moreso than their individual levels of skill.

[Reuben]

^^ I guess in two years Kyle Okposo is going to stink.

That Buffalo power play is 3rd in the NHL right now, by the way.

[havanablast21]

Hey GinFizz...so far so good on that trade. Go Matthews!!!

[Leafs&G86]

Mathews, dominates the game and has better skilled players around him.

[Tfan5211]

I was thinking about trading Eichel for Matthews in a points only keeper league. Don't know if the guy will do it. I think Matthews has better teammates for future seasons. Therefore will be a better fantasy option.

[rangerdanger]

I think it's looking like Matthews and I'm not quite sure it's as close as some think. Eichel really hasn't impressed me much. I think he looks like a 65 to 70 point player or so. But I'm not convinced he will be a regular point per game player. He might do that a yeR or two. But I really think he will round out somewhere in the 60s.

I actually am starting to think Reinhart will be the better Sabres player. Heresy probably.

But yea, I'd go Matthews all the way.

- - - Updated - - -

I think it's looking like Matthews and I'm not quite sure it's as close as some think. Eichel really hasn't impressed me much. I think he looks like a 65 to 70 point player or so. But I'm not convinced he will be a regular point per game player. He might do that a yeR or two. But I really think he will round out somewhere in the 60s.

I actually am starting to think Reinhart will be the better Sabres player. Heresy probably.

But yea, I'd go Matthews all the way.