Eichel still waiting to make call on turning pro Jack Eichel knows the questions and comparisons won’t end on draft night, but the Boston University star is not ready to declare his intention to turn pro just yet. TSN senior hockey reporter Frank Seravalli has more on the presumptive second overall pick with hours to go until the draft begins.

Frank Seravalli TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Follow|Archive

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Jack Eichel is ready for the ridiculous questions to end.

In the 12 months leading up to Friday night's first round of the NHL draft, Eichel said he developed a few favourites in the interview process - both with media and teams.

Among them: Do you ever get sick of the comparisons with Connor McDavid?

"I don't think that's going to end (Friday), though," Eichel quipped at his final pre-draft media availability. "I think I usually say the same thing: I try not to think about it."

Or: Do you see yourself as a generational player?

"I don't even understand the term 'generational player'," Eichel said. "I don't understand what it means, to be honest with you. It's a really great compliment, but I really haven't accomplished anything yet. There are plenty of guys who get drafted and go on to play 10 years or more in the NHL."

His new favourite is: Why haven't you declared your intention to turn pro or return to Boston University next season?

"I haven't been drafted," Eichel said, almost adding in a 'duh' with his tone. "I'm kind of waiting to be locked in with a team. That's the next step. After that, after talking to them and seeing what they want, I guess I'll be able to finalize my decision. I think it's not finalized because I haven't been drafted."

Eichel, who turns 19 in October, is dragging out his declaration for next season. After a historic, 71-point freshman campaign at Boston University, most would think his jump to the NHL a foregone conclusion.

After walking off the dais in his scrum for the cameras, Eichel did an interview with TSN 1050 in Toronto, where he reminded the audience that both James van Riemsdyk (No. 2 overall in 2007) and Jonathan Toews (No. 3 overall in 2006) went back to college and turned out just fine.

"I guess we'll see in the days to come what I've decided to do," Eichel said. "It's something that I went over with my coaches at BU and my advisors and my family. It didn't happen overnight. I weighed a few options. I think it's nice personally to come to a conclusion on what I want to be doing."

The Sabres, of course, could use the immediate boost Eichel would provide - should they select him behind McDavid. Then again, watching Eichel grow in the NCAA over the course of what should another long winter in Buffalo, could be appealing. Buffalo would save one more year of entry-level contract certainty, with the hope that the Sabres would be closer to challenging for a playoff spot before the end of that deal.

"It's not up to me," Eichel said of potentially making the Sabres. "It's really not. I'll work really hard this summer to prepare to potentially play there next year. If my decision is to go back to school, I talked to NHL teams and I think that they respect that as well."

Until then, he is ready for the inane questions to quiet down, even if they won't stop coming entirely. McDavid and Eichel may be sick of the questions and the comparisons, but it hasn't affected their time spent together.

"I spent the last few days and some time in Chicago with (McDavid)," Eichel said. "To be honest, I don't think we've talked about hockey once. Even when you're with the guy you're being compared to, you never talk about it. It's definitely a unique situation being down here in Fort Lauderdale. We talk about a million other things."

Frank Seravalli joins TSN.ca this week from the Philadelphia Daily News, where he covered the Flyers for six seasons. He can be reached at frank.seravalli@bellmedia.ca.