Would you want McDavid in the Western Conference?

[apadilla]

I'd like to see McDavid drafted by a Western Conference team. Reason for this is I'd like to watch him play the Kings at Staples more than just once a year. The last super-superstar to play in the West was Gretzky. The East earlier had Orr, has since had Lemieux and now has Crosby (a drop yes, but still a SS).

The one negative, and a big one at this is the team that gets him will most likely in time become a juggernaut, i.e. even tougher to get to the finals.

Anyway, I'd just like to see a super-superstar at Staples more than once a year.

Click to read more...

 

[scryan]

How many people have actually watched this guy play?

I am not saying he is anything other then what he is touted to be... But I see a LOT of people talking about how amazing he is, and its just not possible that many people have access to watch his games? Is everyone just going nuts over what other scouts have said and the youtube clips they have watched?

 

[Quattro]

How many people have actually watched this guy play?

I am not saying he is anything other then what he is touted to be... But I see a LOT of people talking about how amazing he is, and its just not possible that many people have access to watch his games? Is everyone just going nuts over what other scouts have said and the youtube clips they have watched?

Hey, he could be the next Ryan Nugent-Hopkins!

 

[Reclamation Project]

This pole was available every time the Oilers drafted #1 overall. The West is shaking in their boots.

 

[Scottkmlps]

Why is everyone appointing him a superstar when he hasn't played a single game in the NHL? Personally, the hype is getting out of control.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Every keyboard jockey knows he'll be better than Crosby, Scott.

 

[damacles1156]

Mackinnon was suppose to be the next Crosby, how is that working out ?

 

[Fishhead]

A better poll would be to ask McDavid if he would want to play in the west.

He'll just get pummeled like any other player against the Kings.

 

[NikF]

We'll see what his impact will be down the line, however the hype is well earned, he has 51 points in 18 games. That's insane even for a junior league. Better pace than either Tavares or Stamkos posted. And yes better pace than what Crosby had in his draft year. Not saying it means anything, the hype by itself certainly doesn't mean anything but at least he deserved the hype with his performance.

 

[takk]

I see weird polls began already before the season's over. I'd be happy to see McDavid in West, though not Edmonton but like Arizona to secure their franchise. Implosion of hfboards would be icing on cake.

 

[kingsboy11]

Yes and No. Yes because I would like to see him more than twice a year. No in that I don't want the Kings to play him more than twice a year.

 

[Ron*]

Why is everyone appointing him a superstar when he hasn't played a single game in the NHL? Personally, the hype is getting out of control.

Getting?

IMO it's been out of control for some time now.

 

[apadilla]

Mackinnon was suppose to be the next Crosby, how is that working out ?

Maybe when he was 13 he was supposed to be the next Crosby?

 

[apadilla]

I see weird polls began already before the season's over. I'd be happy to see McDavid in West, though not Edmonton but like Arizona to secure their franchise. Implosion of hfboards would be icing on cake.

LOL, I agree, Arizona would be a great place for him. They'd have to deal Keith Yandle soon for picks/prospects and then Shane Done, their leader, would have to take some time off for this to happen.

 

[apadilla]

A better poll would be to ask McDavid if he would want to play in the west.

He'll just get pummeled like any other player against the Kings.

Awesome. I like this one too. Start it. I'll vote for sure

 

[Brodeur]

How many people have actually watched this guy play?

I am not saying he is anything other then what he is touted to be... But I see a LOT of people talking about how amazing he is, and its just not possible that many people have access to watch his games? Is everyone just going nuts over what other scouts have said and the youtube clips they have watched?

Since I'm a geek, I actually planned a few days in Detroit as part of my September vacation. Along with Tigers/Red Wings games, I drove across the border to Windsor to watch McDavid, and also catch the US U-18 team in Ann Arbor.

Those two goals in person were tremendous to watch live. Windsor kept McDavid off the scoresheet in the first period but I was really impressed by his defensive tenacity. I saw him in the tunnel before warmups and he looks like your average teenager. Definitely has room to add some muscle.

I was under the impression that McDavid was the best prospect since Crosby but not quite as good as Sid was as a 17 year old. Sportsnet had a magazine with McDavid on the cover with a tabloid headline "BETTER THAN CROSBY" but that seemed more of a tactic to sell more issues.

The next day I saw a USHL game with the US U-18 team and Youngstown. Youngstown has a 2015 prospect named Kyle Connor who most have top 15. US U-18 had a few 2015 guys (Colin White, Jordan Greenway, and Jeremy Bracco) plus 2016 (Auston Matthews, Matt Tkachuk). Just from those two games, McDavid was on another level by comparison.

On a side note, I had a fun interaction with a border patrol agent when I was driving into Canada. He didn't quite understand how somebody from San Diego was going to Windsor to watch a hockey prospect.

 

[Reclamation Project]

That's awesome

 

[Quattro]

Since I'm a geek, I actually planned a few days in Detroit as part of my September vacation.

You went to DETROIT on vacation?

 

[Buddy The Elf]

Oh man, I've had the experience of all experiences with the Border Patrol at the Peace Bridge crossing in Buffalo. I was down to my underpants and the border guard had me convinced I'd broken the law.

 

[Brodeur]

You went to DETROIT on vacation?

It's better than Cleveland right?

Technically I stayed with my friend in Ann Arbor and that area's pretty nice. Only time I spent in Detroit was for the Tigers/Red Wings. If you're a prospect geek, it's actually a pretty nice hub and a few NHL head scouts are stationed in Ann Arbor. Plymouth is 20-25 minutes away, the US U-18 team is in Ann Arbor, Windsor is about an hour away, and the Wolverines are in the area.

US U-18 game was crawling with NHL scouts. Pictured is Auston Matthews (Arizona native) who is the early favorite to go #1 in 2016.

The entire back row was scouts. Off hand I can remember Rick Pracey (Colorado's head scout who was fired about a month ago), Randy Sexton (Pittsburgh), Ville Siren (Columbus), Trevor Timmins (Montreal), and George McPhee (couldn't figure out who he's working for now). Keith Tkachuk was there watching his son play too.

They also have an open skate at Yost (Michigan's home arena) on Fridays. Definitely was cool to skate there. Heck I even snuck in a half of a Michigan/Minnesota football game since tickets were so cheap.

 

[Reclamation Project]

That's awesome.

 

[apadilla]

12 Nays to 9 Yahs, kinda close with a day to go. And the way the standing look, though it is early, Edmonton is the West's only hope

Do it Edmonton, Do it! aka - Go Oilers Go

 

[MOGlLNY]

How many people have actually watched this guy play?

I am not saying he is anything other then what he is touted to be... But I see a LOT of people talking about how amazing he is, and its just not possible that many people have access to watch his games? Is everyone just going nuts over what other scouts have said and the youtube clips they have watched?

Me, 5 times live. This season he has been MUCH more impressive than what I thought he was the 2 years previous. Saw him 3 times his first 2 seasons and thought he played more like Kane than Crosby, this year... He looks identical to Sid's play style.

Have also seen Eichel twice, once for BU once for USA.