Development is to hard to predict though you are taking kids at 17-18 years old any one of them could sky rocket and then do you also factor in players build ? Like drouin I wouldn't have wanted to play in the ahl last year even if he had nothing to prove in the chl he still needed to build on his frame as he would be just as easy to injure in the ahl as the nhl
- blizzzard

Why couldn't they allow guys to go to the AHL for a trial run and if it doesn't work out send them to the CHL?

I think having the most options possible is what would be best for the kids. Heck why can't they go to Junior and comeback up at x-mas?

Want couldn't they allow guys to go to the AHL for a trial run and if it doesn't work out send them to the CHL?

I think having the most options possible is what would be best for the kids. Heck why can't they go to Junior and comeback up at x-mas?
- Lahey

Be nice to have similar NHL-AHL callup situation between the CHL and AHL. That might be harder though as one CHL team is not directly affiliated with any AHL/NHL teams.

Frenchwod, do you know if we sign Tkachev if he has to go back to the Q or is he actually eligible for the AHL since he was undrafted and started in the K?
- ystoil

He'd stay in the Q I would imagine.

He'd stay in the Q I would imagine.
- AdamFrench

At a buck 141 him going down to the women's league might not be a bad option

At a buck 141 him going down to the women's league might not be a bad option
- Lahey

Sexist!

Be nice to have similar NHL-AHL callup situation between the CHL and AHL. That might be harder though as one CHL team is not directly affiliated with any AHL/NHL teams.
- ystoil

Just be done by the NHL team I'd assume. Don't like how he's doing in OKC for 10 games send him back to Junior for the year. I don't know that you want to have 15 callups between AHL and Junior, but one would be nice for exceptional guys such as top 5 picks or whatever you set the bar at.

Sexist!
- AdamFrench

I'm getting thrown around a couple times by a chick might get him to actually throw some weight on.

We played a chick team in tourneys from time to time, those female doges were crazy. No contact, but when they hit you what are you going to do? Complain like a female dog? No you man up and stand your (frank)ing ground and get stronger on your feet.

The CHL is a profit based organization that feeds off of its high end competitive squads and doesn't give a damn about those that struggle to maintain an audience (see the ex Battalion of Brampton). The only reason the rule applies is to milk as long as they can the star quality players before they innevitably leave, because nobody cares about overagers that otherwise dominate (to a degree) the league. If the stars had a chance to bolt to the AHL/ECHL for development, then the overagers would rule and the CHL would be vastly diminished in quality. However, the ridiculousness of the actual CHL draft is where this becomes tainted. Look in the past few years, Stephen Harper drafted first overall by Eerie, why? Not because he was particularly great, but because he would likely need all 4 years to play there, so they guaranteed having a guy for four years on the team. Instead they missed out on top prospects who otherwise might leave earlier for the NHL or simply demand a trade by insisting they would go to another league (see Domi, Max). This same thing holds true with he import market and how the upper crust squads magically get the guy they want, while poorer squads like Victoria get the leavings and lower end players despite picking first overall, simply because they know they will have the guy for several years.


There should be an exemption, perhaps a one player per team rule (NHL team). It's beneficial for the NHL team, but more importantly, beneficial for the young player.

The CHL is a business and has every right to be worried when a star might leave, but there is so much underhanded crap that goes on there that they're hurting themselves more than anything.

The CHL is a profit based organization that feeds off of its high end competitive squads and doesn't give a damn about those that struggle to maintain an audience (see the ex Battalion of Brampton). The only reason the rule applies is to milk as long as they can the star quality players before they innevitably leave, because nobody cares about overagers that otherwise dominate (to a degree) the league. If the stars had a chance to bolt to the AHL/ECHL for development, then the overagers would rule and the CHL would be vastly diminished in quality. However, the ridiculousness of the actual CHL draft is where this becomes tainted. Look in the past few years, Stephen Harper drafted first overall by Eerie, why? Not because he was particularly great, but because he would likely need all 4 years to play there, so they guaranteed having a guy for four years on the team. Instead they missed out on top prospects who otherwise might leave earlier for the NHL or simply demand a trade by insisting they would go to another league (see Domi, Max). This same thing holds true with he import market and how the upper crust squads magically get the guy they want, while poorer squads like Victoria get the leavings and lower end players despite picking first overall, simply because they know they will have the guy for several years.


There should be an exemption, perhaps a one player per team rule (NHL team). It's beneficial for the NHL team, but more importantly, beneficial for the young player.

The CHL is a business and has every right to be worried when a star might leave, but there is so much underhanded crap that goes on there that they're hurting themselves more than anything.
- AdamFrench

Threadkillington

Threadkillington
- ystoil

That usually happens when he posts a blog.

That usually happens when he posts a blog.
- Lahey

Adam French: Top-10 Prospects : Edmonton Oilers (5-1)
- AdamFrench

SHUT UP!!!!

The CHL situation is a tricky one. While it’s frustrating when a player like Nurse or Draisaitl or Drouin has to spend another year there rather than be eligible to play in the AHL, removing this rule could cause some problems. For one, having these types of players removed from the league would have a trickle down effect on the younger players’ development. Draft-eligible prospects like McDavid for example would’ve played against much lesser talent and therefore have his development halted if it wasn’t for playing every night against talented and older defensemen like Nurse (no idea if they played in the same league, just using Nurse as an example).

All the young kids that are a year or 2 away from being drafted develop much more when they play against a kid like Nurse who’s older and very talented. If you remove these players and let them instantly join the AHL, I think you would see a decline in Canadian NHL player development eventually.

Also, for off-ice reasons, it could be beneficial for the players to stay in the minors for another few years while they mature. No need to spend time with some of the older career AHLers that could be drinking or using drugs when they’re so young.
- rangerdanger94

Or just have and exceptional player option like joining the CHL early. At the beginning of training camp or whatever every team takes a list of players (5 or less) to a group in charge of determining this kind of stuff and present a case as to why so and so should be able to play in the AHL. Then they can come back and say yes this player can move up and no this player needs to stay down. At least gives them the option of 1-2 players in each organization to let the Drouins and Nurses of the world a chance to play at their skill level. Something along those lines.

Or just have and exceptional player option like joining the CHL early. At the beginning of training camp or whatever every team takes a list of players (5 or less) to a group in charge of determining this kind of stuff and present a case as to why so and so should be able to play in the AHL. Then they can come back and say yes this player can move up and no this player needs to stay down. At least gives them the option of 1-2 players in each organization to let the Drouins and Nurses of the world a chance to play at their skill level. Something along those lines.
- NoobasaurusRex

Who is in charge of determining who is eligible and who isn't? If it's the CHL, why would they ever approve anyone if it meant losing a star player? If you want to create an independent group, why would the CHL ever agree to a deal like that? It will never get negotiated.