Rather than limit contract length for ECHLers, perhaps reduce AHL rosters from 15 to 10. This allows GMs to keep projects they really want or keep 10 1st rounders. It also limits hoarding of picks, putting as many as 150 additional prospects on the free agent market. It is then ultimately up to GMs to choose wisely.
There is no solution to fix this disparity overnight. When I joined Nigel Dawes was my first line LW and the previous GM had traded away 5 first round picks. I am as active as possible in the trade market, but no one is going to gift me prospects (and I don't expect anyone to) since I have few top prospects. However, I have scoured the free agent market and I'm attempting to acquire 'currency' without giving up my top picks. I believe a significant part of the problem is GMs trading 1st round picks for diminishing assets. Since many GMs last only a couple seasons, they deal in the short term whereas the GMs identified as holding currency are primarily the 'experienced' GMs. I am trying to view my team over the long term and while this may mean short term pain, I feel this strategy is the best for Chicago until I have a suitable stable of prospects that I can initiate more trading.
|