Metallo
NWOBHM forever \m/
This.Or you know the league that is producing talent and enables these kids to grow wants to also benefit from them. There is nothing hypocritical about trying to run a profitable business while providing an invaluable service to the NHL. If you go and take a look at the major junior teams, plenty struggle financially, so every little bit helps. Keeping draft +1 players in the league helps to keep the league afloat.
As for the whole "Byram is too good" narrative some are pushing here, just come off it already. He is not too good for the WHL. The first three games are proof enough. Yes he scored plenty of points and he pushes the play, but he let other teams get under his skin, took dumb penalties and in general looked shaky at times. He will be well served with another year there.
The Byram turbo-hype needs to stop. He’s an excellent junior player, that’s it. The WHL will not ruin him. If not making the NHL after their draft year was fine for Werenski, Provorov and Chabot, it’s going to be fine for Byram. Enough with this stupid drama.