Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls! All Buffalo Sabres fans alike, the wait is over and the selection is official! The Buffalo Sabres have selected Jack Eichel with the second overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft.
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As it seemed like a mere formality that general manager Tim Murray needed to walk up and make this selection, it feels like a mere formality to report this pick to all of you. For Those who have been out of the loop or are new Sabres fans, or for those who want a review on the ability of Jack Eichel, here it is!
Jack Eichel was a freshman at Boston University this past season, and he stepped in to become the leader they needed. Eichel posted 26 goals and 45 assists for a total of 71 points in 40 college hockey games. Keep in mind the skill and heart that it takes to play college hockey at the age of 18. Eichel had been playing against men that range between the ages of 19-23 and he led the nation in scoring.
On top of that, Eichel once again proved how much skill that he has as he played in the World Championships a few months ago. That is a tournament that features the likes of star NHL players and he was holding his own as one of the top center for USA.
Jack Eichel did not slow down all season. He was a dynamic player that led his team to the frozen four, and helped team USA to a good run. He finished the year as the Hobey Baker Award winner, and he is the first freshman to do so since Paul Kariya.
What does Jack Eichel bring to the table? He is the generational talent that has size (6’2), speed, skill, and drive. There really isn’t anything this cannot do. He can score goals, he can set up any play, and he will make any player around him better. He is the turnaround player for the Buffalo Sabres and is the biggest cornerstone they currently have (others include Rasmus Ristolainen and Sam Reinhart).
Michael does have the opportunity to go back to play more college hockey this year, but the odds are that he signs with the Buffalo Sabres and plays in the NHL next season. He is more than ready for the NHL and he will be playing on this team next season.
Jack Eichel has every talent that a top level forward needs and he will be bringing every single one of those aspects of his game to the center ice dot on opening night next year. He is the final piece of the Buffalo Rebuild and is the mark of a new era of a winning mentality.
I for one am very excited to see what he will be able to accomplish next year, and the style of offense he will be running in front of coach Dan Bylsma.
For the first time this season I will say this phrase with the ultimate level of pride I can…
LET’S GO BUFFALO!!!
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