from John Vogl of the Buffalo News,
Jack Eichel can only hope to be as good as Pat Falloon.
Well, for one season anyway.
During the past 25 years, no No. 2 pick has jumped from the draft stage to the NHL like Falloon. The right winger, coming off consecutive 60-goal seasons in junior hockey, immediately joined San Jose for the 1991-92 season. He was a sensation, leading the expansion team with 25 goals, 34 assists and 59 points.
Falloon’s career quickly fizzled, but he’s proof that teenagers can excel right away. It’s not easy. More than half have failed to get the chance.
Of the last 25 players drafted second overall, 12 played in the NHL immediately. The other 13 stayed in juniors, college or Europe.
Eichel will be the next No. 2 selection when the Buffalo Sabres draft him Friday in Florida’s BB&T Center. The expectations will be tremendous. Fans have been dreaming of Eichel for more than a year, and they’ll want the 18-year-old to torment opponents like he did during a Hobey Baker-winning season at Boston University.
The expectations should probably be lowered. The first-year numbers typically aren’t impressive.
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