There are few posts on twitter about him being unhappy with the knights organization but nothing from a credible source.

I just don't get the rationale, if he's not playing and he's not injured and you're not shopping him, why is he sitting around doing nothing in the press box.
- Sabresfan-365

I hear its the other way around. Knights are trying to shop him around OHL. Hunters dont want him back. Said he belongs in Buffalo. Rumors he was having too much fun away from the rink too.

There are few posts on twitter about him being unhappy with the knights organization but nothing from a credible source.

I just don't get the rationale, if he's not playing and he's not injured and you're not shopping him, why is he sitting around doing nothing in the press box.
- Sabresfan-365

May be they'll rotate him, Strachan and Benoit? or just keep sitting Benoit and play the other two.

I hear its the other way around. Knights are trying to shop him around OHL. Hunters dont want him back. Said he belongs in Buffalo. Rumors he was having too much fun away from the rink too.
- theblueandgold

Oh, well i goofed


Does seem like somethings up though, hope it's resolved quickly for his sake.

May be they'll rotate him, Strachan and Benoit? or just keep sitting Benoit and play the other two.
- seedy

i was thinking this last game is Strachan that good or was Mez that bad lol

i was thinking this last game is Strachan that good or was Mez that bad lol
- yen6d1

Thats right….I meant Mez, Not Beniot….but yeah, I think Nolan wanted to send a message to a veteran to not follow the "Erhoff path" of playing for Buffalo.

There are few posts on twitter about him being unhappy with the knights organization but nothing from a credible source.

I just don't get the rationale, if he's not playing and he's not injured and you're not shopping him, why is he sitting around doing nothing in the press box.
- Sabresfan-365

I'm not sure why he would be unhappy. That organization does nothing but pump out NHL caliber prospects. It's at the top of the league every year. I know I heard he didn't want to go back to Jr, but I didn't know that it had anything to do with the organization itself. I thought he just really wanted to make the jump to the NHL. Unfortunately, I don't think he's quite ready yet. I think another year of JR would be better for him. Ideally, the AHL would be the best place at this point in his development, but he can't go there.

I'm not sure why he would be unhappy. That organization does nothing but pump out NHL caliber prospects. It's at the top of the league every year. I know I heard he didn't want to go back to Jr, but I didn't know that it had anything to do with the organization itself. I thought he just really wanted to make the jump to the NHL. Unfortunately, I don't think he's quite ready yet. I think another year of JR would be better for him. Ideally, the AHL would be the best place at this point in his development, but he can't go there.
- HonkFortheGoose

Me thinks I have it backwards

Me thinks I have it backwards
- Sabresfan-365

I saw that after I posted mine. But, really it could be both. He could be unhappy that the organization is shopping him. Think about it, he could end up going from a team that's at or near the top if it's league every year to one that's toward the bottom. If I had to go back to Jr, I certainly wouldn't want to end up on a cellar dweller.

He has waiver exemption. Also helps us in renegotiating a favorable contract coming out of ELC if he hasnt had much time in NHL.

Who is this McDonald guy youre talking about?
- theblueandgold

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I saw that after I posted mine. But, really it could be both. He could be unhappy that the organization is shopping him. Think about it, he could end up going from a team that's at or near the top if it's league every year to one that's toward the bottom. If I had to go back to Jr, I certainly wouldn't want to end up on a cellar dweller.
- HonkFortheGoose

That "NHL or Jr." Rule has to go.
I know its all about money. But if thats the case, the NHL team should be allowed to send a player to their AHL affiliate once they decide to hand a player a contract like Grigo or Rheinhart.

That "NHL or Jr." Rule has to go.
I know its all about money. But if thats the case, the NHL team should be allowed to send a player to their AHL affiliate once they decide to hand a player a contract like Grigo or Rheinhart.
- seedy

I feel like there has to be some sort of change to it. Even if it's just that guys drafted in the top 10 are exempt from the rule. Usually, those are the guys that the current rule seems to hinder.

That "NHL or Jr." Rule has to go.
I know its all about money. But if thats the case, the NHL team should be allowed to send a player to their AHL affiliate once they decide to hand a player a contract like Grigo or Rheinhart.
- seedy

Or maybe they make special exceptions like they do with kids going into Junior hockey early. I know that more teams would be trying to get theyre kids into AHL over junior vs kids going to juniors early. But its a start. Maybe the NHLPA and owner can vote on it or something.

I feel like there has to be some sort of change to it. Even if it's just that guys drafted in the top 10 are exempt from the rule. Usually, those are the guys that the current rule seems to hinder.
- HonkFortheGoose

Maybe the Jr team is at their European limit ?

I feel like there has to be some sort of change to it. Even if it's just that guys drafted in the top 10 are exempt from the rule. Usually, those are the guys that the current rule seems to hinder.
- HonkFortheGoose

Being top 10 isnt quite fair. Some of the kids taken later are far more mature hockey players than the kids taken above them. And could benefit from AHL hockey over Juniors. Some really high draft picks really could use another year or two of juniors.

Maybe the Jr team is at their European limit ?
- cabin

See, that's another thing. I don't think the Euro players should be subject to the transfer rule, as each team is only allowed 2 on their roster per game anyway. The transfer rule was put in place to protect the top end talent in the league, but the leagues were/are set up to be development leagues for the North American players. They allow euros, but have very limited space available. So why should they be subject to the transfer rule?

Being top 10 isnt quite fair. Some of the kids taken later are far more mature hockey players than the kids taken above them. And could benefit from AHL hockey over Juniors. Some really high draft picks really could use another year or two of juniors.
- poisondhearts37

If the kid is skilled enough to play in a higher league, then the team that drafts him should be able to send him there. These kids are drafted where they are because of how they play, not how mature they are.

You can't base it on maturity level because everyone's opinion of that could vary greatly.

Buffalo will finish in 30th place.

Carolina will finish 29th.

Carolina wins the draft lottery.

On draft day, Ron Francis walks up to the podium, looks Tim Murray right in the eye and performs the "I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE" scene from "There Will Be Blood."

from what I've heard, the Jr. teams want these kids that are top-end talent on their teams so they can sell tickets. And while I understand that, I don't get why they're allowed to steer the ship once a player is under contract with another team.

If the kid is skilled enough to play in a higher league, then the team that drafts him should be able to send him there.

You can't base it on maturity level because everyone's opinion of that could vary greatly.
- HonkFortheGoose

Which is why maybe there is a system for the GM's and players union to vote on if said player can go to the AHL instead of Junior. They vote if its in the Kids best interest.

Atleast that would be something instead of just plain ol no.

Buffalo will finish in 30th place.

Carolina will finish 29th.

Carolina wins the draft lottery.

On draft day, Ron Francis walks up to the podium, looks Tim Murray right in the eye and performs the "I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE" scene from "There Will Be Blood."


- BINGO!

Which is why maybe there is a system for the GM's and players union to vote on if said player can go to the AHL instead of Junior. They vote if its in the Kids best interest.

Atleast that would be something instead of just plain ol no.
- poisondhearts37

You're asking for a lot of people to be involved in something that has nothing to do with them personally. The only people that should have any say is the team that drafted him, IMO. They are the ones that should be able to determine whether or not the player is ready to take the next step.

- cabin

Actually, when you think about it, Francis DOES look a little bit like Daniel Day-Lewis, and if you put glasses on Paul Dano and make him gain some weight....

Buffalo will finish in 30th place.

Carolina will finish 29th.

Philadelphia wins the draft lottery.

On draft day, Ron Hextall walks up to the podium, looks Bettman right in the eye and



- BINGO!

Fixed

- cabin

Fixed
- Sabresfan-365

I'm good with this switch.