Players who would benefit playing in the AHL

[Mainehockey33]

I think if a player is drafted in the first round but isn't ready for the NHL they should be able to play in the NHL. They're not going to learn anything new in Junior and they get a chance to learn the teams system at a younger age.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

Niederreiter is the perfect answer to this question.

 

[wjhl2009fan]

I think if a player is drafted in the first round but isn't ready for the NHL they should be able to play in the NHL. They're not going to learn anything new in Junior and they get a chance to learn the teams system at a younger age.

While they may not learn anything new if you rush a player who is not ready that could set them back.

 

[glassjaw*]

Zack Kassian

 

[Mathradio]

Niederreiter is the perfect answer to this question.

Niederreiter is not alone. Yes, he is one of those players who would benefit in playing in the AHL. If Niederreiter was, say, a MHL-A or a J20SuperElit player, or played in whatever Swiss league there is, he'd be in Bridgeport by now.

But the fact remains that there are those underage prospects that could not crack an NHL roster and would learn more in the AHL. Beaulieu, Hamilton are such prospects.

 

[arsmaster*]

I think if a player is drafted in the first round but isn't ready for the NHL they should be able to play in the NHL. They're not going to learn anything new in Junior and they get a chance to learn the teams system at a younger age.

Its not like all first round picks who go back to junior dominate the league.

The way it gets talked about on this board, you would think every drafted player who goes back to junior and makes the underagers look like peewees.

Its not the case.

Toffoli scored 57, and his team fizzled out in the first round....I would say he has plenty to learn.

Even Kassian was said to be a man amongst boys, yet still couldnt pop 30 goals in the OHL.

Develop your skills, learn lessons...its not like junior is purgatory. A lot of times the junior players would play limited minutes in the AHL too, playing in all situations against your peers can never hurt.

Look to D'Amigo last year...left NCAA for the AHL and finished up in the CHL because he wasnt ready (I know he wasnt a first, but a skilled player nonetheless).

 

[Evil Janney]

Emerson Etem, averaging over a Goal Per Game in juniors, he has nothing left to prove there.

With Selanne out of the picture, wouldn't the Ducks consider playing Etem next year? Without the help of UFA signings or a trade there's not a second line in Anaheim to speak of after this season is over.

 

[Nolanitis]

Even 2 it would hurt soem major jr teams i know some hate the chl but in some markets its like nhl teams in a sense of presure tons of support.

But doesn't it hurt the markets for the AHL teams? I mean those are the ones the NHL teams align/own! Tell me Charles Wang doesn't want Nino and Kiril Kabanov in Bridgeport this year. Would he sell more tickets?

 

[BLBarmada]

Huberdeau next year.....

 

[OneSharpMarble]

Scott Gomez

 

[KopitarFAN]

Its not like all first round picks who go back to junior dominate the league.

The way it gets talked about on this board, you would think every drafted player who goes back to junior and makes the underagers look like peewees.

Its not the case.

Toffoli scored 57, and his team fizzled out in the first round....I would say he has plenty to learn.

Even Kassian was said to be a man amongst boys, yet still couldnt pop 30 goals in the OHL.

Develop your skills, learn lessons...its not like junior is purgatory. A lot of times the junior players would play limited minutes in the AHL too, playing in all situations against your peers can never hurt.

Look to D'Amigo last year...left NCAA for the AHL and finished up in the CHL because he wasnt ready (I know he wasnt a first, but a skilled player nonetheless).

Because scoring 8 points in 4 games is just unacceptable, shame on him.

 

[brtriad]

Brandon Saad.

 

[arsmaster*]

Because scoring 8 points in 4 games is just unacceptable, shame on him.

So he is a perfect hockey player? With nothing left to learn?

8 points in 4 games and -4....seems theres another end to the rink he may need to learn to play in.

Im not hating, just stating that these "juniors" who are "above" the CHL, arent exactly Scoring 150 points, with sterling defensive play.

Even a guy like Jordan Staal, would probably have developed higher end offense had he gone back to junior after his draft year. It did work out pretty good for the Penguins in the end though.