Quote:
Originally Posted by 4oh3
Can someone explain what the deal with gaudreau is?
Why won't he sign?
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The moment Gaudreau signs an NHL contract, he loses his scholarship status as BC, and effectively is no longer allowed to play in the NCAA. In several recent interviews he has stated very clearly that his intentions are to play a third year at BC alongside his little brother (the two of them have only rarely had the opportunity to play on the same team), and that he hopes to sign a contract with the Flames as early as spring 2014, once his college season ends.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4oh3
Why won't feaster sign him?
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Because it is really pointless to sign a prospect like Gaudreau at this stage of his career. The concerns with Gaudreau have always been his size, and the uncertainty of how well his game will translate at the NHL level. Playing in the NCAA has allowed him to make a more gradual adjustment to bigger, older, more seasoned players, and a faster and more difficult game. The deadline to sign Gaudreau does not approach until summer 2015, and it would have been foolish for the Flames to rush into this contract any earlier than this year. When you listen to the Flames and to Gaudreau when talking about this, it is pretty clear that both sides are confident about signing a contract when the time is right for both parties, and that time appears to be next spring.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4oh3
Why isn't he on contract if he's such a talented prospect?
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Because the rules for prospects playing in the NCAA are substantially different than for players in the CHL. The NCAA is absolutely inflexible in that they will not allow any players to receive any sort of renumeration for services in their time in college (it is one way to protect from individual college programs paying buying the best players to fill their own teams—the NCAA is still in principle if not in deed committed to the idea of amateur collegiate sports). The Flames can't sign Gaudreau until he is ready to end his college hockey career. They can't even offer to pay for his attendance at their prospect camps or any other club events; nor can they provide him access to their fitness, health, and training programs and facilities. Gaudreau's want for a contract has very little to do with his skill level or how he projects to be an NHL player. It has everything to do with the circumstances of his development: as an undersized NCAA player, the road to the NHL is understandably longer, and a little less direct.
Now you know. Please stop wringing your hands and flailing your arms in every post about this.