Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
The point is...ANY player drafted as an 18 YO who does not want to sign with the team that selected them, can wait 4 years if they so choose and be free to sign with anyone willing to have them.
Of course having a place to play that 4th season is a big carrot, but there are plenty of places that over-agers coming out of junior can play a season as well. Lots of guys never drafted are able to get AHL deals as an example.
Some go overseas for a year ot two. If a guy can play, he will be seen by the decision makers of NHL teams. It isn't 1974 anymore. Roy Hobbs types are a thing of the long past.
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lol
That is not the point.
The point is college players have a clear advantage because they can just stay put and get a degree until their 4 years are up sign wherever they want to after that. Staying put is a hell of a lot easier than turning pro, going to Europe and biding your time over there hoping you get enough ice time to not derail your future career.
In many cases just the threat of staying in college is enough for them to end up in their destination of choice before the 4 years is even up, example numero uno of this really hits home, because he was drafted by the Flames and just won a Norris Trophy while still on his ELC for the Rangers.