John Frickin Gaudreau!

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

the "loophole" is if a player players a season in the USHL or some other lower junior league after being drafted but before going the college route.

It is not so much a loophole as it is a rule that allows the player to become an unsigned UFA after 4 years after being drafted like every other player that goes to college after being drafted.

A college player can't sign a pro contract so every college player who played 4 years after being drafted could be a UFA. I think they closed the "loophole" and tacked a year on after the player declares he's leaving college. the way I understand anyway. could be wrong though.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by T@T

A college player can't sign a pro contract so every college player who played 4 years after being drafted could be a UFA. I think they closed the "loophole" and tacked a year on after the player declares he's leaving college. the way I understand anyway. could be wrong though.

a college player has every chance to sign a pro contract. He just won't be eligible for college anymore.

The only difference between Schultz and say Ramage is that Schultz became a UFA on July 1st, where as Ramage will being one in mid-August if he doesn't sign.

I am not sure how long the Flames would have to sign Gaudreau declared he was leaving college to turn pro. I am not sure if they would still have the 4 years in total or not.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by T@T

A college player can't sign a pro contract so every college player who played 4 years after being drafted could be a UFA. I think they closed the "loophole" and tacked a year on after the player declares he's leaving college. the way I understand anyway. could be wrong though.

A college player is the property of his drafting team until August 15th of his college class's graduating year. If a player leaves college prior to graduating, he remains the property of his drafting team until June 1 four years after he was drafted (if a player starts playing his fourth college season, he is considered to have played through his graduating year).


For example, John Ramage had already played a year at Wisconsin when he was drafted in 2010. His college class graduates in 2013, so he is Flames' property until August 15, 2013 (only 3 years after his draft). If he had left college early, he would have been Flames' property until June 1, 2014 (4 years after his draft).

Most players start college right after they are drafted (like Jankowski, Gaudreau, Gillies, and DeBlouw), so if they stay in College to graduation, they remain their team's property until August 15 four years after their draft. If they leave college early, they only gain a month and half of potential free agency, being their team's property until June 1 four years after their draft. But, if they did that, they wouldn't be able to play anywhere other than with their drafting team (or Europe, I suppose) until the four years were up.

Schultz was able to do what he did because he started college a year after he was drafted. He was drafted in 2008, but started college in 2009. This allowed him to leave college in 2012 and become a UFA on June 1 (actually a few weeks later because of when he declared he was leaving). Had he stayed one more year in college, he would have remained Ducks' property until August 15, 2013.


Unlike CHL players, as long as a player wishes to remain NCAA-eligible, he can only have limited communication with his drafting team, and he can't hire an agent or sign a contract. Schultz lied to the Ducks and told them he was going to stay in College through graduation. Once he declared that he was leaving, there wasn't much the Ducks could do to salvage things.


If Gaudreau decides to turn pro at the end of this season or next, he will have to do so with the Flames, or he won't be able to sign anywhere in North America until June 1, 2015.

[Freeway]

Next year will be very interesting for Gaudreau. He'll be 20, so he CAN play in the AHL. Or the NHL. Or go back to college.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Next year will be very interesting for Gaudreau. He'll be 20, so he CAN play in the AHL. Or the NHL. Or go back to college.

He could have played in the AHL @ 18 if he signed a pro contract. The age rule is only for players drafted out of the CHL.

[Johnny Rotten]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Next year will be very interesting for Gaudreau. He'll be 20, so he CAN play in the AHL. Or the NHL. Or go back to college.

I'm guessing, though, that the main "hockey reason" he would stay another year in BC, is because of his size. Three years at BC with a good team wouldn't be a big problem.

If the Flames really think he could make their line-up next year, and play some meaningful minutes, with little or no AHL time, then sign him. Otherwise, I'm really not sure if it would be better for him to be a full-time AHL'er or spend another year at college.

[GreenLantern]

What about guys like Zucker and Schroeder, were they eligible for more college time before joining the AHL affiliates?

Hasn't seemed to hurt their development at all.. looks like Schroeder only did two years at UofM and Zucker did two as well..

[moon]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

What about guys like Zucker and Schroeder, were they eligible for more college time before joining the AHL affiliates?

Hasn't seemed to hurt their development at all.. looks like Schroeder only did two years at UofM and Zucker did two as well..

Considering they have played a grand total of 6 games combined doesn't it seem a bit early to talk about the impact on their development?

[Vulcan]

If he decides this is his last year in College, the Flames can sign him and he can play the last few games of the season and playoffs for the Flames or the Heat. It would be the same as players coming out of junior such as Reinhart did last season. IIRC Nieuwendyk and Hull played in the Flames playoffs after leaving college one year.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

If he decides this is his last year in College, the Flames can sign him and he can play the last few games of the season and playoffs for the Flames or the Heat. It would be the same as players coming out of junior such as Reinhart did last season. IIRC Nieuwendyk and Hull played in the Flames playoffs after leaving college one year.

Yep, his former team mate Kreider did it last year with the Rangers.

Flames would have to leave a contract spot open though, or else all he'd be able to do would be sign an AHL deal and finish out the season with the Heat.

That'd be OK too though, as long as he's ready.

[Ashasx]

A year would be lost on his ELC which would suck, though.

I'd rather he get a full training camp so management and coaches could truly evaluate where he's at and see if he's ready for pro hockey.

[getbak]

Another week at the top of the Hobey Baker watch: http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/ey...d-watch-week-9


He'll miss three games while at the World Juniors, so he could lose the top spot before his return.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

A year would be lost on his ELC which would suck, though.

I'd rather he get a full training camp so management and coaches could truly evaluate where he's at and see if he's ready for pro hockey.

Gaudreau will have to pay all his expenses to attend training camp if he doesn't have a contract. I don't see any reason for him to stay in college after this season. Get him signed to a contract so we don't have to worry about whether he will become a UFA or not.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Fire

Gaudreau will have to pay all his expenses to attend training camp if he doesn't have a contract. I don't see any reason for him to stay in college after this season. Get him signed to a contract so we don't have to worry about whether he will become a UFA or not.

Yup, he would have to pay all his expenses. This must include:

His flight here.
His accommodation while here
His meals while here
He would have to pay full price for any team equipment given out
etc.

It all works out to be a lot of money.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

A year would be lost on his ELC which would suck, though.

I'd rather he get a full training camp so management and coaches could truly evaluate where he's at and see if he's ready for pro hockey.

Gaudreau can not participate in training camp until he turns pro.

To participate in the actual training camp a player must sign at least a PTO, which would then leave him ineligible for NCAA play.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Yup, he would have to pay all his expenses. This must include:

His flight here.
His accommodation while here
His meals while here
He would have to pay full price for any team equipment given out
etc.

It all works out to be a lot of money.

I have an open room in my house. He can stay/eat for free in exchange for tickets/jerseys/other awesomeness. Ill even drive him around if I can come watch training camp at ice level. Thats gotta cut in a little bit at least. Give me a shout if you're watching Johnny!

[gonzo29]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I have an open room in my house. He can stay/eat for free in exchange for tickets/jerseys/other awesomeness. Ill even drive him around if I can come watch training camp at ice level. Thats gotta cut in a little bit at least. Give me a shout if you're watching Johnny!

That would be a violation of the NCAA's rules. Athletes can't accept anything free from anyone, basically. Different sport, but Tiger Woods almost lost his NCAA eligibility back in 94 or 95 because Arnold Palmer invited him to dinner, and of course the King picked up the cheque.

So if he does accept your invite, keep him hidden. Shouldn't be too hard given his stature, right?

[Coach]

^^^ I thought that was just if the team paid for him. I assume your Woods situation was because Palmer was a member of the PGA and thus, Tiger could not accept anything from him. But since I am not associated with the team whatsoever, I could just be a cousin/friend helping him out.

[moon]

Originally Posted by MattyC

^^^ I thought that was just if the team paid for him. I assume your Woods situation was because Palmer was a member of the PGA and thus, Tiger could not accept anything from him. But since I am not associated with the team whatsoever, I could just be a cousin/friend helping him out.

Not if he is giving you jerseys or access to games/arenas. That would be the NCAA violations.

Doesn't matter if you are associated with the team or not if he gives you jerseys/autographs/tickets it is a violation. Just ask Ohio State football.

[Coach]

Ok Well I meant that as more tongue-in-cheek. And also for when he makes the show. I would seriously totally do that though.