Quote:
Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction
I am curious though... Why is it junior players have to re-enter the draft but not university players? I am sure there is a good reason, but nothing is jumping out at me.
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I think it's just a timing issue. If a junior player isn't signed after 2 years (either by his choice or the team's), he'll re-enter the draft. If he is drafted a second time and still fails to sign after another 2 years, he'll be a UFA. So, it's the same 4 year wait to become a UFA whether the player is coming from junior, college, or Europe. The junior player just has the potential 2 year escape clause.
For many college players, they're not ready to turn pro 2 years after their draft and they'll lose their NCAA eligibility if they sign a contract. That means drafting anyone but a sure-thing who will immediately turn pro would be a wasted pick if you would lose his rights after 2 years.
For example, there's no way Gaudreau would have been drafted by anyone in 2011 if the drafting team would have lost his rights if he wasn't signed by 2013. After his freshman year, he likely would have been drafted high in 2012 by a team hoping to convince him to sign after one or two more years at college.