Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The NHL Draft is still two months away but it's never too soon to start manufacturing drama. Add in some paranoia, melancholy, and a strong inferiority complex--tenets of the Buffalo sports psyche since, at least, "wide right"--and drama explodes into melodrama.
"OMG! What if Jack Eichel goes back to BU after Buffalo drafts him?
AAAHHHHH!!!"
If the Buffalo Sabres draft Jack Eichel with the second-overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and he decides to go back to college instead of turning pro, it means that he will not suit up for Buffalo next season and his entry-level contract won't kick in for another year. The Sabres hold his rights for three years. Case closed.
And for those who are really paranoid over possibly losing two years of their lives watching a 30th place team while ultimately coming up empty, it's conceivable that Eichel could play three more years in college then declare himself a free agent, but it probably ain't happenin'.
For the safety and security of yourself and those around you please, step away from the edge.
While social media and the press are reaching far and wide for anything concerning the possible ramifications of Eichel's decision, Sabres GM Tim Murray, knows how to approach the Eichel pro/college question. "That will be probably the second thing I say to him after the draft: ‘Congratulations and what are your plans?’" said Murray.
The GM stated simply and effectively that the Sabres don't have his rights and that he has no expectations as to what the 18 year-old will do. He hasn't spoken to Eichel and even if he did “I wouldn’t tell him he had to leave [college],” Murray said. “I would give him the pros and cons of going back in my opinion."
As for Eichel, he has stated that he will consult with his family and close friends and that he will probably have a decision after the draft. Before then, he'll be playing hockey for Team USA in the World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic beginning May 1. After the NHL draft, Eichel (if he's drafted by Buffalo) will attend Sabres development camp sometime in the first half of July. In both instances he'll be amongst NHL players and he'll be able to see how he stacks up against them.
It's a similar situation to what Zemgus Girgensons went through in 2012.
Coming out of the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, Girgensons came into development camp with a commitment to join coach Kevin Sneddon as he was rebuilding the Vermont Catamounts hockey program. Sneddon, was pretty sure Girgensons was headed his way. Just before the 2012 draft Sneddon said of Girgensons, “Zemgus has been committed to the NCAA route for quite some time now; he values college hockey and education as the best pathway to develop."
Sneddon had every right to think that, especially with the Sabres being an organization that takes its time with their youngins. But once Girgensons got into development camp, things changed.
"Once he learned where he stood physically against other young pros," wrote Kevin Oklobzija at the time, "I think he knew this is where he should be (in the NHL.) The vibes I sensed in speaking with him on Monday and again on Thursday made it seem pretty clear he wanted to be a professional hockey player now."
At 6'2 196 lbs. (almost identical to Girgensons) Eichel already has an NHL-ready frame. He's sturdy on his skates and tough to move off the puck.
In comparison, 2014 second oveall pick Sam Reinhart possess NHL-level skill and off the charts hockey sense but his frame held him back. It's not that he's small at 6'1" 185 lbs, but as was shown in his nine-game stint with Buffalo to begin the season, he's just a little shy in the size department to be competing with men as an 18 yr. old.
Eichel has that NHL-size and a sturdiness to his game. He proved that against 23 and 24 yr. old college players all season. He also has Girgensons competitiveness and a hockey sense not far removed from Reinhart. He's an excellent skater with a long, powerful stride, and he possesses a soft set of hands. It's an NHL-ready package.
So why all this drama about him going back to BU for his sophomore season?
“It would be another great year of development, college hockey and life with Coach [David] Quinn,” Eichel told Boston reporters after the Frozen Four. And, of course, there's always the "unfinished business" aspect of returning as BU lost the NCAA Championship game to Providence. And, as some have pointed out, there's recent precedence a return to BU as both Jonathan Toews (2006, 3rd-overall) and James van Riemsdyk (2007, 2nd-overall) opted to return to school after Chicago and Philadelphia, respectively, drafted them. Please note, that when they eventually signed their pro contracts, they did so with the team that drafted them.
If Eichel wants to pursue the Frozen Four instead of playing in the NHL more power to him, it's his decision and one that really doesn't affect the Sabres on a short-term basis. Yes it will set their lineup back a year but having Eichel in the lineup will not make or break the team next season as they have a long way to go just to gain respectability.
“There are positives to it any way you look at it," said Eichel. "At the end of the day, when a decision has to be made, I will make it with my family and with my heart. I don’t want to be somewhere that I don’t want to be.”
He's a franchise-level hockey prospect with an NHL skill package and incredible drive who has an NHL career staring him right in the face.
"Buffalo, I'm comin' for ya!"
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