Quote:
Originally Posted by AR_Six
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.
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He couldn't play in the AHL last year, did you actually read my post? It was junior or the NHL and he had already completely dominated junior.
And who cares if they have to pay him big bucks one year earlier? If people feel strongly about RNH losing one year of his cheap contract then I guess they must think Jeff Skinner should've been back in junior in his 18 year old too. And Hall. And Seguin. The list goes on. Should PIT have not brought in Crosby when they did so they could keep him on a cheap contract longer? Of course not.
Bottom line to me is that if an 18 year old can excel in the NHL then that is the best place for him to develop. Clearly RNH was excelling in the NHL at age 18. You only send the kid back if you think he's not ready, if you think his development is best served back in junior.