NHL to change age cut-off at Entry Draft

[HabLover]

It won't take that long. In fact, if it wasn't for Crosby, you could do it really fast. You're dealing with a 16 month window (Sept. 16, 2004 to Dec. 31st, 2005). You could split the difference easily enough. 2005 draft could be for those who turn 18 between Sept. 16, 04 and, say, May 15th, 05. The 2006 draft could be for those who turn 18, between May 16th and Dec. 31st of 05. Just one problem, a big one, and his name is Crosby. Crosby doesn't turn 18 until Aug. 7. Would be a tough sell for the NHL to tell him and the teams he's not eligible until 06, IMO. So, also in my opinion, it will take until Dec. 31st, 2006, to fully phase it in. The phasing in is all hypothetical, the NHL being intent on bumping up the draft age is not. That's going to happen, pending CBA negotiations.

They might not have to worry about if there is no NHL in 2005/2006. Then next year group all the 87's together for a draft sometime in '06. That would be perfect.

 

[mooseOAK*]

It's the start of training camp and they don't want people under 18 years old playing in the NHL

Patrick Marleau was born on Sept. 15 and while he wasn't 17 playing in the NHL he was pretty darn close.

 

[NYR469]

Patrick Marleau was born on Sept. 15 and while he wasn't 17 playing in the NHL he was pretty darn close.

he was 18 when the season started, but that is the whole point of this. with the change instead of going to his first camp before his 18th bday, he would go into camp just before his 19th bday

 

[turnbuckle*]

I figured it had to be a boost in the age limit since that was one of the discussions in the last GM meetings. It makes sense, and hard to challenge legally as well.

It will certainly make things a lot easier to follow ie. birthdates - born in 1988, drafted in 2006, born in 1989, draft eligible in 2007.

It should be a benefit to the late birthdates (Oct., Nov. Dec.), who are notoriously drafted in lower numbers proportionally because they end up being selected a year later than many of their peers.

 

[NYR469]

I figured it had to be a boost in the age limit since that was one of the discussions in the last GM meetings. It makes sense, and hard to challenge legally as well.

It will certainly make things a lot easier to follow ie. birthdates - born in 1988, drafted in 2006, born in 1989, draft eligible in 2007.

It should be a benefit to the late birthdates (Oct., Nov. Dec.), who are notoriously drafted in lower numbers proportionally because they end up being selected a year later than many of their peers.

sometimes that extra year can help players though because they are more nhl ready and look at how much rankings can change after a year