Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
Junior players only disadvantage in that scenario is they cant stay with the team that drafted them for 4 more years. That does not prevent any junior guy from plying his trade overseas though, Matthews did something similar.
If the player is clearly NHL material in either case but refuses to sign, they can, and have been, traded to a destination they will sign with.
Its not a loophole.
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Again, call it whatever you want. It's way easier to stay put than it is to pack up your whole life at 20 and "ply your trade overseas".
A college players ability to stay put is the difference and gives them leverage they shouldn't have. The league should figure out a way to remove that leverage, but they won't because it rarely happens. Just so happens in this case it cost the Flames a #1D man.