Quote:
Originally Posted by Fire
The rights to the player is longer, but I am thinking a college player would have more incentive to avoid signing a contract because they can become a UFA unlike a CHL player that can only re-enter the draft.
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I guess, but they would have to wait 4 years. ie. Gaudreau is the Flames property until he is 22 (he would be 22 on June 1, 2015). So I guess the guy could be ready for the NHL and then say that he will wait an additional year or two to become a free agent, but I have never really heard of a player doing that. Even if he did, the Flames could just trade him to a team he is willing to sign with, like Erixon who only was willing to sign with one team, and still get something for him. I honestly have never heard of a college player continuing to play college hockey rather than sign a pro contract just to ensure they have free agent status. It is not like they can get more money, they are still restrained by the ELC clause in the CBA.