McDavid vs. Eichel watch

[maya has the knife]

I thought it might be fun to have a thread dedicated to how these guys progress over the course of their draft season. Feel free to post updates on their production, injuries (hopefully none), or provide links to articles.

Currently, both guys are tearing up the competition in their respective leagues (as expected).

McDavid: 7-9-16 in 5 OHL games
Eichel: 2-2-4 in his debut with Boston University

Here are their DobberProspects profiles with updated stats:
http://prospects.dobbersports.com/Un...connor-mcdavid
http://prospects.dobbersports.com/Un...20/jack-eichel

[Zorro]

This will be a fun watch!! These guys are going to smash records this year for their respective teams!!

[Fast Tony DeNiro]

Man this year is gonna be so fun to watch the draft eligibles. Specifically these two, but the rest of the class, as well. Really looking forward to Zacha in the OHL, as well as getting to watch Bittner in Portland.

[northernnuck]

Hoping to make the investment to see the Mem Cup in Quebec City and see McDavid work on some records to beat!

[4T2]

I don't pay quite as much attention to the OHL as I would like to and I definitely don't pay attention to US University hockey but I really get the feeling that there isn't a whole lot up for debate here. It seems like McDavid is really the clear front-runner from what I've read. Not trying to take anything away from what should be an informative thread though. Great idea.

So what does everyone think? Is this more like Taylor vs Tyler or is it more of a Tavares vs Hedman situation?

[rainydrinkwater]

It's more like Tavares/Hedman. Eichel is a fantastic prospect but the debate between he and Mcdavid is (will be) mostly drummed up by the press and NHL sources for publicity. I'm extremely confident that Mcdavid will go #1 and I'd bet 30 GMs would pick Mcdavid over Eichel today and next year at the draft as well.

[austeane]

When four points per game isn't unsustainable...
Makes you owner how many points per game an NHLer could put up in the OHL. 6?

[maya has the knife]

How do you guys rate the competition in the OHL vs NCAA? Say for example Eichel were to average 2 PPG playing for Boston University while McDavid averaged 3 PPG for Erie. How would those compare?

[dodospice]

Gaudreau put up 2 PPG last year in College, Sidney Crosby didn't even put up 3 PPG when he was in the CHL and the league was higher scoring when he played. So not to take anything away from Eichel if he gets 2 PPG but it is much harder, in my opinion, at least to put up 3 PPG playing in the CHL. (Also considering they play more games)

[ericdaoust]

Most years Eichel could easily be #1 but I think he's a clear #2 this year. I don't think it's as close as it can be made out to be.

[robmyatt]

Eichel is playing against older and probably physically more imposing competition as average age in the NCAA is higher than the OHL/CHL.

McDavid is the #1 here but Eichel is probably closer than some think.

[Fast Tony DeNiro]

McDavid is the #1, Eichel the clear #2 at this point. That could change over the next 9 months or whatever, especially once the media members start nitpicking every little flaw in McDavid's game like they do every single season with the top prospect. But in the end, McDavid should and will go #1. He's just on another level.

Eichel would be a #1 in almost any other draft, just not this one.

[STONE.]

Basically just commenting so I get reminded of this thread! Gonna be an interesting season for these two.
Sabres are already showing they're focused one whichever ends up best!

[dodospice]

Eichel is playing against older and probably physically more imposing competition as average age in the NCAA is higher than the OHL/CHL.

McDavid is the #1 here but Eichel is probably closer than some think.

When you're as elite as these two prospects are it wouldn't matter what league you're playing in. Since Eichel is likely a one and done player anyways, I wish he would have just gone the CHL route... however it's each players choice and I respect him for sticking true to his guns.

[austeane]

Top scorers in College generally score less than the top scorers in the CHL. Gaudreau really is a special talent, and him getting 2 ppg in college is remarkable. The top scorer the year before had 1.3 points per game.
Here are the top scorers from 2012/13 for the NCAA and OHL.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/league...AA&season=2012
http://www.eliteprospects.com/league...HL&season=2012