NHL GM meetings discussion

[Axeman33]

Apparently one of the items on the table for discussion is allowing 1st rnd kids in their last yr of Jr to play in the AHL. Wouldn't that be nice.

https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/...334246912?s=19

#NHL GM Meetings: One talking point on the agenda today is potentially allowing first-round picks in the last year of their junior eligibility to play in the AHL instead of CHL. More info and background, with @NabilKarimTSN : https://t.co/PG8pVShjhi #TSN https://t.co/R3EzQV90Md

[lucafen4]

This would seem like a win for the AHL and NHL. Kids get stronger competition. AHL gets a bit of a boost in player name value. The CHL would lose 15ish players - there's a lot drafted in the 1st round now that aren't from the CHL. so the impact isn't near what it would have been for them 10+ years ago.

Almost makes too much sense for them to do it. If they do this... I think they should also increase the draft age by a year for non-first rounders.

[PenguinHunter]

I support this decision as long as there is some agreement in place that allows the players to be returned to their national team program for the World Juniors.

#SelfishExpectations

[Axeman33]

This would seem like a win for the AHL and NHL. Kids get stronger competition. AHL gets a bit of a boost in player name value. The CHL would lose 15ish players - there's a lot drafted in the 1st round now that aren't from the CHL. so the impact isn't near what it would have been for them 10+ years ago.

Almost makes too much sense for them to do it. If they do this... I think they should also increase the draft age by a year for non-first rounders.

I'm confident in saying not all 1st rounders are even ready for the AHL either. Would be interesting to see who determines where they go if they don't make their NHL teams coming out of the draft.

[stevegamer]

This would seem like a win for the AHL and NHL. Kids get stronger competition. AHL gets a bit of a boost in player name value. The CHL would lose 15ish players - there's a lot drafted in the 1st round now that aren't from the CHL. so the impact isn't near what it would have been for them 10+ years ago.

Almost makes too much sense for them to do it. If they do this... I think they should also increase the draft age by a year for non-first rounders.

The bolded part is really hard to do. If you increase the draft age, you need to do it before the draft, not during. Otherwise you end up with players who slip out of the first round slipping a whole year, and being able to dwell on it for that long.

[Jouko-Pouko]

That would be great. That rule has never made sense from NHL's point of view. It's been great for the CHL but not so much for NHL organizations or prospects for that matter. If they're not ready to play in the AHL, they can be returned to junior at that point. Just let kids go somewhere else after they've already dominated at the junior level. Sending them back there doesn't make them better.

[lucafen4]

The bolded part is really hard to do. If you increase the draft age, you need to do it before the draft, not during. Otherwise you end up with players who slip out of the first round slipping a whole year, and being able to dwell on it for that long.

It would be done before the draft, obviously. The idea that's been toyed with is - you can only draft 18yr olds in the first round. If you're 18 and not taken in the 1st - you're not eligible to be drafted until the following year's draft. It would suck for the 'bubble' kids. An extra year of scouting for teams.. you'd see a lot more successful picks come 2nd, 3rd round as well.