Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
I honestly can't think of an example where a top 5 pick wouldn't be signed after 1 year of college and burn a year of the ELC.
Cooley is a recent example but that's because there were questions on if he wanted to sign, not the other way around.
The CHL and international guys get drafted within a month of being drafted, so that's not really an example.
College guys all generally sign to burn that year of their ELC. Flames have done it with Coronato, Gaudreau, tried to with Fox, etc. Happened with Kent Johnson in Columbus.
I honestly can't really think of a time where a player wanted to sign and turn pro after the college season was done and it was the team that went "No, we don't want to sign you"
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Further to this, burning the 1st year isn’t as big of a deal as it used to be, depending on the player.
With the current CBA signing a second contract without arbitration rights is an advantage to the team. Numerous factors are at play. Lack of negotiating power with offer sheet restrictions, evidence to prove worth of a term & $, and lastly if the contract turns sour the buy out is 1/3 not have when signed under than age of 25, giving the team more flexibility.
Coronato not being a Calder candidate this year is a great example.
If anything, signing after the season is a bit of an advantage to Gauthier.He could get 3 full years of NHL service on his ELC and be offersheet eligible, giving more negotiating power. Guess that will happen in Anaheim now.