Underage NHL players

TheSanny

Registered User
May 11, 2011
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As far as I know, the NHL, AHL and the ECHL are the only professional hockey leagues where the players has to be at least 18 years old at the start of the season in order to participate.
In Europe there is no official age limit as far as I know, but I believe it is 15 or 16 most places.

Auston Matthews just signed with a team in the Swiss league, a league that might be as competitive as the AHL.

In Europe, boys play against men when they are good enough.

I started thinking about this when I heard Matthews was gonna leave NA for EU this upcoming season.

My questions are:

1. If a player is NHL ready when it comes to his skill level and physique, should he be allowed to play in the league before his 18th birthday? (McDavid, Eichel, Matthews and possibly even more players through the years)

2. Should the NHL be allowed to start drafting players at the age of 17, or even 16 if they believe they are ready?

3. Has there always been a 18 year age limit to play in the NHL?
 

fahad203

Registered User
Oct 3, 2009
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This will be very bad for the game and NHL

You would have number of European teams offereing McDavid when he was 16 and he would be the best playe in Swiss League. That league pretty good money, better than $50 bucks a week OHL player makes

I am still surprised why a KHL team didn't just shower Mcdavid with money. I would have gone in a heart beat for a chance to play in Moscow. Those Russian girls....................Those Russian girls
 

TheSanny

Registered User
May 11, 2011
171
14
Yeah, if McDavid wanted, he could've left for the KHL 1-2 years ago. I'm pretty sure they've tried. He's drafted over there after all.
 

TheSanny

Registered User
May 11, 2011
171
14
I don't think there is such thing as an NHL-ready 16 year old. Not Connor McDavid, not Sidney Crosby, and certainly not players of a lesser stature than them.

What about this season's McDavid or Eichel? Or next year's Matthews?
 

talkinaway

Registered User
Mar 19, 2014
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I don't think there is such thing as an NHL-ready 16 year old. Not Connor McDavid, not Sidney Crosby, and certainly not players of a lesser stature than them.

This x1000. Talent can't trump biology. I don't care how early your puberty hit, or how big you are, your body just isn't ready for the hits that it will take.
 

BeastoftheEast85

Registered User
Dec 31, 2010
2,761
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New Jersey
The NHL is definitely too fast and physical for a 16 year old. Plus the season is too long and rigorous for kids to attend high school and play hockey. The NHL will never and should never lover the draft age to 16.

I don't see a problem with what Matthews might do anyway. He would get to go abroad and live in one of the most beautiful, clean, safe, and wealthy countries in the world. The larger rink and pace of the game is good for player development, and he would also earn a great income. It might take him a few more months to adapt to the NA style rink but when you factor in the learning and cultural experience on and off the ice its arguably a better route than going to the CHL, USHL or US development league for North American players.
 

tarheelhockey

Offside Review Specialist
Feb 12, 2010
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What about this season's McDavid or Eichel? Or next year's Matthews?

It's not just that they're physically unprepared, it's also a matter of putting a minor in the position of working and traveling with a professional hockey team.

There's more to "being ready" than being a good athlete. Look at how Hollywood treats teenagers.
 

TheSanny

Registered User
May 11, 2011
171
14
It's not just that they're physically unprepared, it's also a matter of putting a minor in the position of working and traveling with a professional hockey team.

There's more to "being ready" than being a good athlete. Look at how Hollywood treats teenagers.

Good point. But it can and has been done before (youngsters working and traveling with a professional team). Just look at Barkov (Liiga at 16-17). Or Kuznetsov (KHL at 17).

But of course NHL is a step above those leagues. But so is the talent I've presented.
 

TheSanny

Registered User
May 11, 2011
171
14
Also, the league has too soften up IMO. Matthews is only TWO days away from being drafted this year. He's NHL ready.
 

fahad203

Registered User
Oct 3, 2009
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Who cares ? The big leagues (NHL, KHL and SHL) is where it's at.

If they play in KHL and SHL, they could develop well. However, if 16 year old play in NHL, most of them won't make it pass 18. Physically they'll be destroyed.
 

Alexander the Gr8

Registered User
May 2, 2013
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Toronto
If they play in KHL and SHL, they could develop well. However, if 16 year old play in NHL, most of them won't make it pass 18. Physically they'll be destroyed.

What about the freaks of nature like Byfuglien, Chara, Lindros ? I'm sure they were already bigger than 90% of the league at 16-17.
 

gudzilla

Registered User
Aug 9, 2012
5,337
2
Who cares ? The big leagues (NHL, KHL and SHL) is where it's at.

who cares? you ruin the development of EVERY OTHER KID if you remove them from the league

people go to the games to see the junior superstars, not the scrubs

the stars create revenue, they're the cash cows of the league. how many havent gone to CHL games to watch mcdavid this year?

What about the freaks of nature like Byfuglien, Chara, Lindros ? I'm sure they were already bigger than 90% of the league at 16-17.

chara and byfuglien was nowhere near ready or close to their potential, thats why they were drafted late.
 

Alexander the Gr8

Registered User
May 2, 2013
31,602
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Toronto
who cares? you ruin the development of EVERY OTHER KID if you remove them from the league

people go to the games to see the junior superstars, not the scrubs

the stars create revenue, they're the cash cows of the league. how many havent gone to CHL games to watch mcdavid this year?

I'm just saying that the European pro leagues are more adequate to prepare a player to play in the NHL since they are professionals.

Look at how good guys like Tarasenko and Kuznetsov are. They played pro in Russia, so they were ready as soon as they stepped on NHL ice.

Matthews made a good choice if he goes to Europe for next year.
 

Syckle78

Registered User
Nov 5, 2011
14,585
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Redford, MI
NHL is already being sued by grown adults. No way are they going to touch the liability issues with having minors play. There would probably be issues with insurance and labor laws, also.
 

TheSanny

Registered User
May 11, 2011
171
14
RNH survived his debut season at 160 lbs or something like that, right? If a 17 year old is more physically mature and has the same or better skill level, why not let him play?

Also important to add that the player has to be mentally ready.
 
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