BigGreenAlum
Registered User
- May 4, 2007
- 163
- 5
Virtanen wasn't above the CHL. He just wasn't good. It doesn't prevent the problem, he just probably fails in the AHL (as he has done most of this year). Players will bust, having this movement doesn't make it any less likely. It also probably makes drafting higher risk, as they aren't playing against high-level competition.
You are changing the whole chain of development. It could work and be better, but is it really worth the risk to what is currently the system that produces the most NHLers, and a significant portion of its best players.
These agents/advisors know what they are dealing with when they start advising these kids at 16. If they don't want this conflict, then start directing their kids to the USHL. If not, accept the positives of facing better competition at a younger age, but potentially being trapped if you aren't good enough.
If NHL teams don't like the current agreement, there would be noises about them encouraging kids (and the agents that advise them) to go the USHL/JR A. route. So far, that isn't happening. They are complaining in retrospect, wanting the best of both sides, which isn't possible. It will give an advantage to a 2 year window of kids, then present a bunch of different problems of kids less ready for the next step. Making it less likely teams at the bottom of the draft can draft kids who will make an immediate impact in 2 years.
Look, the CHL can do whatever it wants and the current NHL-CHL agreement runs through 2019-2020 season so there are 3 more seasons before any potential changes on a new agreement. I am simply stating i) NHL teams prefer to have the right to place their drafted and signed U20 players where they see fit as they do so routinely with "non drafted out of the CHL" prospects who are ready for pro in U19 or U20 seasons (Nylander brothers, Fischer vs Strome, etc.) and ii) players/agents would like that flexibility too.
Competition and choice is a good thing for consumers. It is TBD if the NHL and/or players exert enough pressure for the CHL to change their rules any time soon. In the meantime NHL execs, players and agents are appreciating the relatively new choices afforded to the other 50%. God bless competitive markets.