It’s a hockey tradition unlike any other in New England, the annual Beanpot tournament, which takes place on the first and second Monday of February every year at the TD Garden in Boston (Well, first Tuesday and second Monday this year….thanks snow). So, why am I writing about this on an Oilers blog? Simple, because this year there are a few players of serious interest to the Oilers and their fans.
Jack Eichel, Boston University, Center – The consensus number two pick in the NHL draft will get his first taste of the annual tournament with a date against Harvard tonight. Eichel is the best player in this tournament, and right now is slated to go to Edmonton. Eichel is a center with absurd skill, and could very well be a franchise player at the NHL level, that isn’t overstating things.
Eichel has really good offensive instincts, great hands, and an ability to score goals at a high rate. He’s got decent size, plays a power game and has speed to him. On top of that, his hockey IQ is praised as “next level” by many scouts. I’ve seen him live a few times now, and he’s lived up to the hype every game. He’s a really special player, and will make a great NHL’er.
A center that plays a power game and is dynamic offensively is exactly what the doctor ordered for Edmonton. He could be one of the great Oilers if he is drafted by the club, he is that good.
Matt O’Connor, Boston University, Goalie – Goalie has been a hole at BU for a few years now, but O’Connor has filled that and then some this season. His numbers, 1.91 GAA with a .937 SV% and 13-3-3 record, are outstanding and he is doing it against some really good competition in the Hockey East Conference.
O’Connor has decent size to him, and plays a pretty low-risk game to my eye. He’s a guy that has the ability to steal games at the NCAA level, and is one of the best goalies in the country right now. He’s been nothing but steady all year for the Terriers and has become one of the better players on the team, which is loaded with high end prospects.
The best sign with O’Connor? He’s not some one hit wonder goalie. He’s improved every single year at the NCAA level. As a freshman, he posted a .910 SV%, while last year he had a .920 mark.
O’Connor is undrafted and can be signed as a free agent following the NCAA season, which will likely go into April with this strong BU team. The Oilers are rumored to be very interested in this guy, so he should be watched closely.
Noah Hanifin, Boston College, Defender – Noah Hanifin is the next guy in line from the powerhouse Eagles to make the jump to the NHL. BC has always produced solid defenders, and Hanifin might be the best in a long time. He does a lot of things right, and defends so well.
He’s a guy with great skating ability and some serious size, and is only 18 years old. He’s playing against guys that are 23 years old in Hockey East, and he is succeeding at it in a big way. He’s not overly physical, but closes gaps really well and has a good stick according to scouting reports. He’s got decent offensive ability too, including a solid shot.
I’ve seen him a few times as well, and he’s just a really sound defender. He’s not a banger, but he is always in the right position and he uses his stick and size to defend. He rarely makes any mistakes too, and has a hockey IQ through the roof.
There is a very strong chance that Edmonton drafts third this June, and if they do, Hanifin is the likely target. I’m not sure he is ready for the NHL, but he’s a really good prospect.
So, both of these guys will play this afternoon, and then the winners of the games will play next Monday at 8 pm est in the annual Championship game, while the losers play in the consolation game. This Beanpot Tournament features a lot of solid NHL prospects in addition to these three, but these guys are of major interest to Oilers fans.
Enjoy!
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