1 of 82 Posts: McDavid v Eichel

Ali vs. Frazier. Gretzky vs. Lemieux. Barkley vs. NBA's Buffet Tables. And now Jack Eichel vs Connor McDavid.

Unless you live in a box with no Internet or have no interest in hockey, much like I have no interest in the rankings of European Union Football Clubs, you've heard so much about Connor McDavid over the last year, you feel like a bit of a creeper, wondering why so many grown men are talking about this young man who can not yet legally drink a beer. You probably cringe at the words 'generational talent' and laughed at the guy in your hockey pool who picked him as his first round pick. Then there's this Jack Eichel guy, the 2nd prize at the NHL Prom. Wait? He's another 'generational talent'? He's born American? The propaganda writes iself. Let the battle begin!!!

and Jack Eichel.

In the Canadian End; 

Connor McDavid 

Edmonton Oilers 

Father-Figure Coach: Todd McClelland

Significant linemates: Taylor Hall, The Nuge, Jordan Eberle, Nails Yapokov, Justin Schulz, 

Significant Upgrades; Cam Talbot, Eric Gryba, Todd McClelland

McDavid has an edge here, playing with so many previous #1 picks that have already had their Stanley Cup dreams crushed after being picked by the Oilers. However, former Oilers Craig McTavish and Kevin Lowe finally lost their keys to the clubhouse last year. They were replaced by two names with no Edmonton Oiler connection other than consistently beating them over the last decade (but then again, who wasn't?)

I don't know if they really made any significant upgrades; Eric Gryba is a pretty tough defenceman in an increasingly non-tough league and Cam Talbot is just the latest goaltender to try and improve his resume in Edmonton, following Devan Dubnyk, Nikolai Khabibulin, Ben Scrivens, Viktor Fasth, Ilya Bryzgavlov, Richard Bachman, Jason Labarbera and Martin Gerber who have all gone on different career paths after their limited stay in Edmonton. Todd McClelland had a pretty successful regular season run with San Jose over 7 years. We'll worry about his playoff record when we get there.

Most likely to help McDavid; Todd McClelland. Every time I see McDavid he already looks shell-shocked. Maybe he always looks like that. Anyways, I'll start to worry once I see that confident killer look in his eyes. I have yet to see it. Maybe Todd will put it there. 

In the American End:

Jack Eichel

Buffalo Sabres

Father-figure/Coach: Dan Blysma

Significant Linemates; Evander Kane, Matt Moulson, Ryan O'Reilly,  

Significant Upgrades; Zach Bogosian, Robin Lehner, Dan Blysma

Lehner is to Buffalo what Talbot is to Edmonton. Another warm body between the pipes, likewise Bogosian to Gryba. Its almost as if Buffalo and Edmonton went to the same team-building seminar. But if Ryan can prove to be the leader he apparently thinks he is without pissing off his teammates, Buffalo may be on to something. They've got the right guy in former Crosby/Malkin quasi-dad Dan Blysma to help Eichel deal with his bruised ego in being picked #2, Kane being traded from Winnipeg and O'Reilly thinking his ego is bigger than Patrick Roy's. 

Most likely to help Eichel; Evander Kane. The guy is young and cocky; he epitomizes the American spirit in a way that will only help. Plus, being having to be in McDavid's shadow for the last couple of years is a hell of a motivator too. Evander can put up some good numbers, leaving Matt Moulson to pocket a few more than last year as well. 

Anyways... ON TO THE SEASON

Here we go, 82 games. One winner. Its like hockey's version of baseball, but with briefer summaries because, shit... 82 games. 

Game One's

McDavid vs. St. Louis

Headline; McDavid Shows Potential, Not Full Arsenal in loss to Blues

Summary; He could have done better and he sucks at face-offs. 

The Stat Facts;

0 goals, 0 assists. 2 shots

L 3-1

Eichel vs. Ottawa

Headline: Sabreès Eichel scores 1st NHL Goal with Deadly Snipe
Summary; He probably killed someone. The victim wasn't at the Game, but somewhere someone died from this shot. Plus it was his Dad's birthday. 

The Stats Facts:

1 goal, 0 assists, 3 shots

L 3-1

Winner Game One; Eichel.