Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Jack Eichel And Connor McDavid In The Spotlight

12/26/2014 at 8:33am EST

from Kevin Allen of USA TODAY,

Boston University freshman Jack Eichel's status as an NHL prospect has reached the point that he almost sounds too good to be true.

In addition to being the most-talked-about U.S. center prospect since Mike Modano was drafted No. 1 overall in 1988, Eichel also has a humility and leadership quality that endears him to teammates and coaches.

"It's just Jack being Jack," said Team USA general manager Jim Johannson. "He's a true team guy who leads by his level of play and by his interaction with everyone, including his teammates, coaches, training staff and equipment guys. He handles everything in a real comfortable and mature way. It all comes natural to him."

continued

from Cathal Kelly of the Globe and Mail,

For years, people have been telling McDavid that he is a once-in-a-generation hockey talent. He’s dealt with that pressure the same way he reacts to a pushy maintenance worker – politely deferential, but in full control of the situation.

The best way to describe McDavid’s oversized bag of on-ice tricks is that he plays as if he’s spotlit.

That’s easy to do when you have the puck. McDavid commands attention even when he’s nowhere near the play.

You could spend 20 minutes watching him sit on the bench.

For the whole time he’s out there, he’s stalking, proactive and reactive all at the same time. The best comparison is Mario Lemieux’s predatory glide.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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