We often dicuss if a kid should be brought over ASAP or left a few years in Europe. Saw this article on the subject with quotes from a Swedish GM. Its of course biased and a one sided view, but thought I just put it in Google translate and share it:
Kritiken mot NHL: ”Som att avla fram travhästar”
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- There is a serious problem when NHL clubs sign contracts with really young players. I think that, personally, it is bad respect for what Sweden has achieved in talent development, "says Eriksson.
Of the 23 players who have signed NHL contracts, five of them have not yet been established at SHL level, or even played a single match in the league.
"The NHL clubs sign contracts with our players of all ages and lend them out. They become more or less owners of the player and have a lot of influence over their development. For us clubs there is a great challenge because we do not know how long we can keep the players. We are capable of developing them, but it will be superfluous when we do not know how long we can count on the players or put up a plan for them, "says Eriksson, and continues:
"The NHL clubs have signed a contract with 18 year olds who have not yet played a seniors match, and thus influence on the player and his agent will obviously be difficult for us to oppose. In the NHL and the AHL they play it over 80 games a year, and the kids' development in athletic and individual training on ice are, in my view, inadequate. The kids are treated like merchandise.
"Looking at the Swedish model"
Eriksson thinks that the development for young players is significantly better in Sweden.
"In Sweden, we have a softer approch, a developmental thinking, and a better division between matches and training. Sweden is the world's best talent factory and I wish a much greater respect from the NHL clubs. Let at least my talents finish school and establish themselves at senior level in Allsvenskan or SHL before signing a contract, "says Eriksson.
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