How can anyone say that it's a crap show? What harm is it doing these kids to be on the shower? Absolutely none. Some of you need to get rid of this mentality that unless a kid is going to the NHL they should quit trying. There are alot of good hockey leagues where players can make a very good living outside of the NHL. This show is a perfect opportunity for players to showcase themselves. But what do I know, you are the experts saying it's a waste. And in case you aren't keeping up to date, several players have signed AHL contracts and there are others that I'm sure aren't far behind. Yup, total waste of a show.
I just don't get the point.
Most of these guys are well known in the scouting community. Heck, I was familiar with 9 of the 10 guys listed in the first post straight off.
A guy like Adam Taylor was drafted by an NHL team in 2002, played 5 years in the WHL including a Memorial Cup, was in Vancouver's training camp last season, and was an above-average ECHL player last year.
David Brine scored 100 points in the QMJHL last year and was playing in the AHL playoffs when the season ended. Cedric Desjardins has a pro contract. Mitch Bartley has been to a couple NHL training camps and would have no problem getting a job with an ECHL team.
These aren't some 'obscure' guys getting a once-in-a-lifetime chance from a TV show. These are established talents, none of whom would have any problem carving out a living in (at worst) the ECHL. Many have already been to NHL training camps in the last year or two.
The quality of talent on the show isn't any different than the 10-15 'invite' players at every NHL team's prospect camp a couple weeks ago, and most of these guys would be getting prospect-camp invites anyway.
To me, it's just ... kind of repetitive.
shakehead ) last year.
