SUNRISE, Fla. — The two most dynamic young prospects — Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel — were taken first and second on Friday at the N.H.L. draft.
McDavid was selected by the Edmonton Oilers, and Eichel by the Buffalo Sabres.
As with the 2012 N.F.L. draft, when Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III were preordained as the top two picks, McDavid and Eichel’s fortunes carried little suspense.
Eichel, an 18-year-old Boston-area native, kept a poker face before hearing his name called at BB&T Center, not even committing to turn pro 24 hours earlier.
“I haven’t been drafted,” Eichel on Thursday, who at Boston University became the first freshman since Paul Kariya in 1993 to win the Hobey Baker Award after leading all Division I players with 71 points (26 goals, 45 assists) in 40 games.