As reports from the NHL Scouting Combine swirl that Jack Eichel told teams in the interview process he’ll be better than Connor McDavid, the highly touted Boston University star has clarified a few things on that point.
McDavid is expected to go No. 1 overall in the NHL Draft later this month. The Edmonton Oilers have that pick. Eichel is expected to go No. 2, to the Buffalo Sabres.
The comparisons between the two teenaged stars have made for an ongoing storyline for ages, reaching one peak at the 2015 World Juniors. And now we have the developments at the combine, including Buffalo’s GM Tim Murray telling WGR 550 radio that Eichel said he’ll be better than McDavid (For the full interview, click here).
“I’m pretty confident in my own abilities,” Eichel told NHL.com.
“I know everyone’s making a big deal that I said a comment like that; I don’t think it was meant at all about ... it wasn’t me comparing myself to Connor or anything like that, it was more of me thinking that I’m the best player in the draft.”
Despite the expectation Eichel will go within the top two picks in the draft, he still has the decision about whether to turn pro, or return for another year at Boston University.
“If it ends up that my heart tells me that I want to move on and try to play in the NHL, then that’s what I’m going to do,” Eichel told the Buffalo News. “If my heart says I want to go back to BU, then that’s what I’m going to do.