The Oilers went into the draft with 10 picks and once the dust had settled, had drafted a total of six players, including McDavid. “I just look forward to watching how dynamic he is and watching what he does day-to-day and hopefully get a chance to play with him”. There’s a new GM (Peter Chiarelli), a new head coach (Todd McLellan) and new hope for an organization that hasn’t been to the playoffs in an awfully long time. McDavid’s Erie team mate, Dylan Strome? Washington should have used its first-round pick to address other needs, which included a defenseman and a winger. Playing with Ak Bars Kazan in the Kontinental Hockey League and has two years left on his contract.
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“I think Buffalo is heading in the right direction, as a team and as a city”, Eichel said. “I am an Edmonton Oiler and I could not be any more proud”. Anxiety more than nerves marked the night.
Looking ahead, McDavid is the type of player who can re-energize the fanbase and help the Oilers start climbing the standings again. I do not think it was meant at all about … that wasn’t me comparing myself to Connor or anything like that. If he never tops McDavid’s numbers or impact, Eichel can fulfill his hype by being the first step in the ladder on the way out of this deep hole they Sabres have fallen into.
Wearing a light blue tie, McDavid took off his suit jacket, strode onto the stage and first shook commissioner Gary Bettman’s hand.
Within seconds, McDavid put on the Oilers’ brand-new World Hockey Association-inspired orange jersey with his trademark No. 97 on the back and shoulders. Blue and orange has been on the shelves in Erie already, and it’s about to be in fashion again.
Ross, a native of Edmonton, played 32 games for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League this season, finishing with eight points and 62 penalty minutes.
“Welcome to Edmonton, Connor”, Hall tweeted. “#FutureIsBright”.
“It’s pretty exciting”, Chiarelli said. “We’ve had some good amateur meetings the last few days, there’s going to be some real good players there”. “The sky is the limit with a player of his caliber, and to be able to deliver exclusive content of this sensational talent is a thrill for us here at Upper Deck”. “He is a terrific player and will help our franchise when he gets up and running”.
McDavid knows the pressure and what to expect. But, rather than temper expectations, he wants to raise them. Whether that meets expectations or not, that’s not up to me to decide.
The long-expected move became reality Friday night when the Edmonton Oilers grabbed the center who will immediately face the burden of enormous expectation.
Murray, meanwhile, was up to his own wheeling and dealing, picking up goalie Robin Lehner and centre David Legwand from the Ottawa Senators in a trade for the No. 21 pick, then acquiring centre Ryan O’Reilly by sending defenceman Nikita Zadorov, forwards Mikhail Grigorenko and J.T. Compher and the No. 31 pick to the Colorado Avalanche. This is a special year because Eichel is also considered a generational talent.
With the #2 overall selection in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, the Buffalo Sabres have proudly selected Jack Eichel. “It’s a dream come true”, Eichel said. This just really caps it off. You hear a lot about the draft and everything that goes on here, but until you hear your name called and you go on stage and put a jersey on, there’s nothing like it. It’s an unbelievable feeling.’’.
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Marner, a forward with the London Knights, finished second in OHL scoring with 126 points this season. “I don’t draw those comparisons”, Ekblad said.
