Patrik Laine says he'll equal Ovechkin in 5 years

One day after proclaiming he should be selected first overall, Patrik Laine continued to talk himself up at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo on Saturday.

The 18-year-old compared himself to six-time Rocket Richard Trophy-winner Alex Ovechkin, telling TSN's Gino Reda it will take him five years to be like the Washington Capitals captain.

And the 18-year-old's ambitions don't stop there. "I have the best ability to become the best player in the NHL someday," Laine said, according to Sportsnet's Matt Brown.

The Finnish winger likened his competition for the Maple Leafs' No. 1 pick - Auston Matthews - to Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, but claimed he has a better shot and is a better goal-scorer than his American counterpart.

"We're quite even," Laine said, according to Brown, after being asked by all eight teams he interviewed with to compare himself and Matthews. "Toronto will have a tough decision to make."

The second overall pick belongs to the Winnipeg Jets.