Will COVID affect NHL in 15 years?

[NHL Dude 120]

I think whoever is up for the 2021 and maybe 2022 draft will be most affected. Players who are missing their 17 or 18yr old junior years right before draft (due to so many leagues being shut down) will make a big difference.

Lafreniere is great - but if you completely wipe out his 2018-2019 season - that's pretty impactful on his development. And that's a very special player, who probably overcomes it. But the 10th overall pick - or the 30th - probably a lot harder.

I think for that combining the 2021 and 2022 draft would probably be better then. Have all overage players as free agents instead. Or maybe let 2021 players have a one time opt out from the draft.

It's not gonna happen for many obvious reasons but I think it could heavily help the 2021 class by having that extra year of development.

 

[deckercky]

Presumably, the next few draft classes will have the highest impact, then it will gradually lessen.

Barring some real change in societal trends, I think the 3 year olds are okay.