I kept asking this question a while back, and I will ask again here with all the talk about keeping him under 9 games...
The way I read the rules, QH turns 20 in this season, the season he will sign his ELC. As such, isn't he part of the exception in the rules, and if he plays even 1 professional game this year, AHL or NHL and he signs his ELC in his 20 year old season, his contract doesn't slide?
He would have this year as a professional year, next year, and the year after. Meaning, if this is true, even at one game, he would need to be protected.
I am not sure it is blatantly obvious then?
But as I say, I have been asking for clarification from someone in the know. Recently, the person who was arguing that his 20 year old season is next year claims that my concern was correct and it is this year?