Gaudreau to stay at Boston College for 2013-2014

[Vulcan]

The only problem I have is that I don't think he has anything left to learn in College hockey. On the other side he'll have time to grow, play with his brother and try to be the man that leads his team to the College championship.

[Dion]

I like his plans about getting an education. When his career ends he's going to need to find something do. Smart kid!

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by Dion

I like his plans about getting an education. When his career ends he's going to need to find something do. Smart kid!

Agree he knows the obstacles ahead making the NHL. Elliot Friedman said about 1% of kids drafted stick in the NHL.
Like the new sig Dion I will be pulling out my Bruin sig also.

[Puppet Guy]

[Iceman57]

This was completely the right decision, it wouldn't have been the right environment for him here next year and he needs to bulk up. Plus staying in school for an education is never the bad choice.

[CaptainCrunch]

Hopefully he's willing to pay his way to the rookie camp this summer so we can see how he's progressed.

[Saqe]

Off topic a bit but is he still 68kg as listed? Can´t believe he can be that small.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by fotze

I've been thinking it is idiotic for the Flames to be trying to sign him, but they could also be trying to not piss off his camp in efforts to avoid any type of Erixon/Schultz type type situation. Make it as known as they can they they want to sign him, no questions asked.

There is no doubt in anyone's minds that the Flames will want to sign him. The best play is to honour the player's wishes & wait for him to finish his college career on his terms. None of this should be taken as a reluctance on the Flames' part to sign Gaudreau.

Jonny Gaudreau, Bill Arnold & the rest of the Eagles have a score to settle for next season considering how they had such a disappointing end of the season. If they win the Frozen Four next year Gaudreau may have proven everything he wants to prove & turn pro. Any luck & he'll have a growth spurt too!

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Agree he knows the obstacles ahead making the NHL. Elliot Friedman said about 1% of kids drafted stick in the NHL.
Like the new sig Dion I will be pulling out my Bruin sig also.

Bruins going to the finals this year!

[MissTeeks]

@johngaudreau03: Excited for my junior year with #bchockey

[T@T]

Originally Posted by SofaProfessor

Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but NHL clubs have 4 years to sign college prospects. This allows them to complete their education if they choose. It can be a bit confusing given the difference in time frame for signing prospects drafted from major junior leagues.

I think the rules have somewhat changed, I don't think college players can now snub their noses at their drafted clubs (J Schultz) and just go free agent after 4 years. I think they would have to sit a year after school in order to pull that stunt.

[CaramonLS]

I'm fine as long as he doesn't Blake Wheeler or Schultz us.

[Iceman57]

Originally Posted by T@T

I think the rules have somewhat changed, I don't think college players can now snub their noses at their drafted clubs (J Schultz) and just go free agent after 4 years. I think they would have to sit a year after school in order to pull that stunt.

Is this true?

[Scoreface]

I think it's important for Gaudreau to embrace his leadership role even more in his junior role, after his team being dismissed early. It will bode well for him personally and could have a positive impact on the Flames if he signs. Any amount of adversity to a prospect is welcome, as it provides the opportunity for him to become a better person and a better team mate.

Also, we should consider the draft this year. Calgary likely will secure a top 5 draft pick, which should provide Gaudreau another highly talented player to play with, or at the very least, closely alongside him in the depth chart. Many of them are sizeable, which would be to his advantage being a small player, with the exception somewhat McKinnon or Drouin, should one of those be drafted by the Flames.

I'm not sure if that TierII/USJHL loophole exists, but I sure hope he is committed to the team that showed a lot of confidence drafting him in the fourth round. I think at that time, outside of Boston (Weisbrod, who wanted him), he may have been only a 6th or 7th rounder if even drafted at all.

Good on Feaster and Co. for giving us another highly touted prospect, small as he is. I believe they want to complement the lineup with guys that have size who can play. Feaster is surrounded with some pretty smart dudes. I can't wait for the draft.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by polak

He could actually want a degree?

I'm Ron Burgundy?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Iceman57

Is this true?

No. They didn't change anything related to drafted College players in new CBA.

When an NHL team drafts a US College player (a player who has either already played at least one year in the NCAA, or who plays a year in the NCAA prior to two years passing after his draft), his NHL rights become the exclusive property of the drafting team for a minimum of 4 years after his draft.

If the player choses to leave the NCAA before his senior year, the drafting team will hold his rights until June 1 in the year four years after he was drafted. If the player choses to play his NCAA senior year, the drafting team will hold his rights until August 15 of his senior year.


For example:

Justin Schultz was drafted in 2008, and started play in the NCAA in 2009. As a result, he was able to chose to leave college prior to his senior year and became an NHL UFA on June 1, 2012. If he had played his senior year, he would have remained Ducks' property until August 15, 2013.

John Ramage also started play in the NCAA in 2009, but was drafted in 2010. If he had chosen to leave college early, the Flames would have held his rights until June 1, 2014. Because he played his senior year, the Flames hold his rights until August 15, 2013.

Bill Arnold was drafted in 2010 and also started play in the NCAA in 2010. If he had chosen to leave college early, he would not be eligible for UFA status until June 1, 2014. Because he has chosen to play his senior year, he could reach UFA status on August 15, 2014.

[Flames_F.T.W]

He's tiny and definitely needs to bulk up. When he was drafted, he wasn't expected to make the jump for a few years anyways, so staying in college is fine by me. I just hope he bulks up big time so he's ready for the physical game at the NHL level

[Phil Russell]

Good call Johnny Hockey.

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by T@T

I think the rules have somewhat changed, I don't think college players can now snub their noses at their drafted clubs (J Schultz) and just go free agent after 4 years. I think they would have to sit a year after school in order to pull that stunt.

No, nothing really changed on that front. Teams still hold exclusive negotiating rights with drafted college players for 4 years after being drafted or as long as they're still in school, whichever is longer. If a player goes through 4 years of school and graduates he's eligible to become a UFA on August 15th of that 4th year. Several players have gone that route.

The only wrinkle in the Schultz (and Wheeler) situation was that after being drafted he played a year of hockey prior to going to the NCAA so he was eligible to become a UFA after 3 years of university (which was 4 years total since being drafted). Because he hadn't graduated the language regarding the August 15th signing deadline didn't apply to him and he was able to become a UFA on July 1st. As far as I know that rule wasn't changed either, but we won't know for sure until the final CBA is released.

Regardless, any NCAA player can become a UFA 4 years after being drafted if they want to.

[FAN]

Staying another year is fine. I would be worried if he's staying on for his senior year.