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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Sure but...does he learn anything in the WHL if he goes back at 18? They couldn't send him to the AHL which would have been ideal.
I disagree with that part of the article. RNH showed he can play at the NHL level. He isn't comparable to cases like James Sheppard, Gilbert Brule, Rico Fata, Derrick Brassard and other kids who were rushed too early, lost confidence and had their careers derailed. Playing in the NHL was better for RNH's development than playing in junior IMO. And they've got a year of chemistry building with the other franchise forwards in EDM. And the Oilers can afford to lose one of his cheap years.
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The point of the article is that you only get 3 years of ELC once your player starts playing in the NHL. That's why guys get sent down after 9 games. If the Oilers had waited for next season to start him, they would have 2013-2016 with RNH playing on the first line on a really affordable cap hit. Instead they have until next season. Then they have to cough up the dough. All they got in return was 110 games or so, and no actual team success in the meantime. I doubt the AHL would have stunted his growth - the Red Wings don't seem to mind leaving all their guys in the lesser pro leagues until they're 22.