Eichel outscores McDavid in majority of fitness tests at combine
Connor McDavid may be the consensus top pick for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, but second-ranked prospect Jack Eichel has secured bragging rights on the bench press.
McDavid and Eichel each completed the NHL Scouting Combine fitness tests Saturday, impressing scouts with their physical conditioning. Unlike last year, when Sam Bennett's inability to complete a pull-up stole the show, both top prospects performed well at all stations, with Eichel holding a slight advantage in most categories.
Eichel outperformed McDavid in the standing long jump and vertical jump and did 16 bench presses to McDavid's nine. He also did nine pull-ups, besting McDavid's total of six, although McDavid felt he did nine as well.
"I guess they were pretty tough on that; they're looking for tempo and form," McDavid told Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com. "Some guys thought they deserved better but I guess I don't have to worry about that now."
| McDavid | Eichel | |
|---|---|---|
| 97.3" | Standing Long Jump | 115" |
| 19.488" | Vertical Jump | 26.181" |
| 4.43 | Pro Agility (Left) | 4.48 |
| 4.53 | Pro Agility (Right) | 4.24 |
| 9 | Bench Press | 16 |
| 6 | Pull Ups | 9 |
| 17.49 | Wingate (Bike) | 17.42 |
| 10:15 | VO2 max (bike) | 12:15 |
The only area where McDavid scored a clear victory over Eichel was on the final test of the day: the Wingate bike test, which McDavid described as "absolutely crazy."
"It's at the end of the testing, you're tired, and you've done a few tests already," Eichel said. "You're sore and then have to jump on the bike and go really hard for a 30-second sprint with some resistance."
Related: Connor McDavid impresses in bike test at NHL Scouting Combine
McDavid lasted slightly longer than Eichel in the Wingate, scoring a 17.49 to Eichel's 17.42.
"I thought I scored OK; I don't really know what is a good number for that," McDavid said. "I felt pretty good afterward though. The number comes on the board and seemed to be OK, I don't really know."
The scouting combine results aren't likely to alter when either player is drafted, and Eichel is still expected to go second overall to the Buffalo Sabres, who are hosting the combine. Buffalo hockey fans are behaving like Eichel's already a member of the team.
"Buffalo has been very welcoming," Eichel said. "I've gotten a lot from the locals. I've heard 'Welcome home' and 'We're happy to have you here.' The people here are very welcoming, they care about hockey."