The GM meetings are going on and there are some very fundamental topics being brought up which could change this sport, but none other than the concept of raising the NHL draft age to 19.
What would this do?
Essentially, this would allow players another year to develop without the pressure of the draft hanging over them, and allow the teams a fighting chance in evaluating the players...
There are still very good players who play at 18. In the NHL today it is still less than 10 I believe, and yet there are some very impactful players at age 18 right now in the NHL...The fear would be more players would take the route taken this year by Auston Matthews and play pro one year in Europe. If the age were 19 I believe more players would, but most still wouldn't...
There is a hybrid theory being thrown around that I actually like that would see 18 year olds only to be allowed to be drafted in the first round. That would maybe make the most sense. The NHLPA would have to approve this, but honestly how would they go on this?
On one side the NHLPA would want the 18 year olds to have a chance to play, on the other hand if too many 18 year olds are joining the league it means more players whose careers could be ending as they are pushed out.
What say you?
We will discuss all this and more on the show at 1pm ET