Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Incorrect. Playing in Abbottsford would use up a year of his deal.
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That is what I would have assumed. However, there was a discussion on the Flames site about this. I have included a quote from one post:
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I saw someone post on HF boards that because of his age/date of birth Baertschi will be considered a 20 year old in the CHL next season but because his NHL contract is allowed to slide until he is considered a 20 year old by NHL standards meaning Baertschi could play the entire 2012/13 season in Abbotsford and his ELC would continue to slide.
I was a bit unsure so I looked around for similar cases and sure enough I found one in Zach Hamill. His ELC never began until the 2009-10 season, but he spent the entire 2008-09 season with the Bruins AHL affiliate in Providence after leaving Everett of the WHL, although Hamill did spend 4 season in the WHL so that may play a part.
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I am not saying that this is right, just bringing it up for discussion.
...and then this...
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Since Baertschi was born in 1992 and not 1993 he is eligible for the AHL next year.
And since he signed his ELC at the age of 18 it can "slide" for 2 seasons if he doesn't play 10 NHL games.
So he can definitely play in the AHL next year and if he does not play 10 NHL games, his NHL contract will not actually begin yet