Jack Eichel's 'heart' will decide between BU and NHL next year
Jack Eichel’s trip to the NHL scouting combine in Buffalo is probably akin to the Pope’s visit … anywhere.
Except he doesn’t have to ride in a cool Mercedes custom-made vehicle.
Anyway, he has two options for playing next season:
1. Playing for the Buffalo Sabres, who will likely take Eichel with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
2. A return to Boston University and push for a national championship after losing to Providence in the final game this past year.
The latter would be so like Jack O'Callahan in "Miracle."
Eichel did not give a clear-cut answer as to what he would prefer when he met with the media Friday. Via the John Vogl of the Buffalo News on Twitter:
"There’s pros and cons of both situations. That’s going to make my decision pretty tough. If it ends up that my heart tells me that I want to move on and try to play in the NHL, then that’s what I’m going to do. If my heart says I want to go back to BU, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
This wasn’t part of Tim Murray’s master tank job plan!
As for what Eichel thinks about Buffalo?
"I’m just getting a feel for the city, meeting a lot of people. Obviously, everyone’s really welcoming here."
It’s a weird line for these players to walk. We know that Edmonton will almost definitely take Connor McDavid No. 1 and Buffalo will more than likely grab Eichel at No. 2.
But if you’re one of these 18-year-old guys, what do you say? How do you say it without your words being poked and prodded and treated like you're going to pull a Lindros (it's not too late guys!).
Well, if Arizona had the No. 2 pick, I’m sure Eichel would have set up shop in Tempe and lived a college lifestyle as a pro … based off our interview with him earlier in the year.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
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