That rule will never change..It's there to protect the CHL teams who invest in developing the players..It protects teams from having talent poached way too early..Everyone plays with the same rules..Dont like it, dont draft players from that league...



Players from European leagues can play in the AHL without restriction.



Draft them.. fixed...
- Fruitcakenipple

I agree.

This is one of the dumbest things to female dog about. It helps more players than it hurts, and it helps the CHL, the main junior system funneling into the NHL. Yes, sometimes the rule doesn't make sense for a particular player, but those are the exceptions, not the rule.

That last part I don't agree with. A competitive sportsman's dream is to play at the highest possible level. They'll go to whatever league has the highest competition in order to prepare for the ultimate goal of reaching the NHL. If a player would rather put up 100 points in the CHL than test his metal against a higher level of competition in the AHL, then he probably doesn't have the right attitude to succeed at the NHL level.
- Victoro311

I don't think it's that big of a deal. CHL hockey is something Canadian kids grow up dreaming of playing, especially for the stalwart teams.

And I don't really think the AHL is leaps and bounds better in terms of competition. This year the WBS Pens might have one or two skaters with a legit shot of becoming NHL regulars, while many CHL teams are stacked with not just future regulars, but future stars.

While there have been cases where a player has nothing left to gain from juniors, they're few and far between, and I don't think Sprong is one of them. Maybe in another year that will be the case, but for now I think he can still get better in the Q, even if he dominates while doing it.

Also, as has been stated, there's no way the agreement changes. They aren't going to be ok with everyone disappearing after one year in the league, two tops, they run their business the same way an NHL team does.

At least he'll be playing big minutes in juniors. Sitting and watching is of less benefit than playing regardless of the competition level.
- madmike71

I'd much rather have sprong play 8 minutes a night and practicing with NHLers everyday rather than him playing 20 minutes a night in juniors, especially just for a 9 game tryout. If he does have these attitude issues, then being around guys like Sid, dupuis, and Kunitz would be great for him

While there have been cases where a player has nothing left to gain from juniors, they're few and far between, and I don't think Sprong is one of them. Maybe in another year that will be the case, but for now I think he can still get better in the Q, even if he dominates while doing it.

Also, as has been stated, there's no way the agreement changes. They aren't going to be ok with everyone disappearing after one year in the league, two tops, they run their business the same way an NHL team does.
- ehabs9

This guy understands it perfectly. Keyword being "business".

Looking at some of the interviews (read that as most), I don't know how the players stay cool & not take the piss out of some of the journo's. The players give up their time which is great & get asked either ridiculously stupid questions &/or the same questions again & again & again - or worse the same ridiculously stupid question over & over again.

I really feel sorry for Kap in that situation where he didn't expect to be traded & now has been & is being told he is the new Kessel? WTF??

Anyone see McD interview where they asked him again & again about being hit? 'Yes it's just hockey guys', yes but you are mates with him off the ice aren't you? "Ah I guess, but it's a competitive sport & hitting is part of it"! Yes but he got you a nice 1? "Yes I guess but that's hockey - like I said" (shrugs).

(frank)ing idiots!

You can't blame guys not wanting to talk to them (Phil...........), if they can't ask decent questions get the (frank) out of the players faces (frank)ing gerbils!

On Sprong, rules are rules, & if he topped the CHL then maybe you could say he may be better moving on. I thought everyone wanted these guys to mature & develop properly before throwing them to the wolves?? Can he go play in Europe like Matthews or are there rules with that as well?

I don't think it's that big of a deal. CHL hockey is something Canadian kids grow up dreaming of playing, especially for the stalwart teams.

And I don't really think the AHL is leaps and bounds better in terms of competition. This year the WBS Pens might have one or two skaters with a legit shot of becoming NHL regulars, while many CHL teams are stacked with not just future regulars, but future stars.
- hardnosed

While it may be true that the CHL is full of future stars while the AHL is full of has been a and never will bes, I think the style of play and level of competition in the AHL is more conducive for preparing someone for the NHL. The seasoned vets of the AHL may not have the raw skill that many CHLers do but they know the way the game is played better and are more savvy than the kids of the CHL.

But at the end of the day this isn't a big deal. Sprong is still young and like you pointed out its not like he absolutely dominated the league. He'll be in the AHL next season and his development will be on track.

Looking at some of the interviews (read that as most), I don't know how the players stay cool & not take the piss out of some of the journo's. The players give up their time which is great & get asked either ridiculously stupid questions &/or the same questions again & again & again - or worse the same ridiculously stupid question over & over again.

I really feel sorry for Kap in that situation where he didn't expect to be traded & now has been & is being told he is the new Kessel? WTF??

Anyone see McD interview where they asked him again & again about being hit? 'Yes it's just hockey guys', yes but you are mates with him off the ice aren't you? "Ah I guess, but it's a competitive sport & hitting is part of it"! Yes but he got you a nice 1? "Yes I guess but that's hockey - like I said" (shrugs).

(frank)ing idiots!

You can't blame guys not wanting to talk to them (Phil...........), if they can't ask decent questions get the (frank) out of the players faces (frank)ing gerbils!

On Sprong, rules are rules, & if he topped the CHL then maybe you could say he may be better moving on. I thought everyone wanted these guys to mature & develop properly before throwing them to the wolves?? Can he go play in Europe like Matthews or are there rules with that as well?
- Aussiepenguin

If the AHL got an influx of young talent it would evolve into less of a goon league. Right now, I argue, why should Canadian junior teams get all the young talent that isn't going to college? If 18 and 19 year olds played in the AHL and got some NHL time it would help there development to the NHL. Period. The Canadian juniors is a great league, no doubt. I just think their agreement completely favors them too much. As I said earlier, how about 19 years instead of 20?

If the AHL got an influx of young talent it would evolve into less of a goon league. Right now, I argue, why should Canadian junior teams get all the young talent that isn't going to college? If 18 and 19 year olds played in the AHL and got some NHL time it would help there development to the NHL. Period. The Canadian juniors is a great league, no doubt. I just think their agreement completely favors them too much. As I said earlier, how about 19 years instead of 20?
- powerhouse

Why should teams from the US get to take players from the CHL

I'm all for Hockey Canada/CHL changing the rules..Sure get rid of the rule preventing players under 20 from entering the AHL, but give the 7 Canadian teams first shot a Canadian born hockey players that plays in the CHL..

Have a lottery with all 7 teams in Canada and they get to pick a Canadian born hockey player.....Than run a regular draft..


DO IT..

If the AHL got an influx of young talent it would evolve into less of a goon league.
- powerhouse

I think most AHL fans actually like their hockey goon-laden.

I think most AHL fans actually like their hockey goon-laden.
- hardnosed

I get this impression as well. Probably why Biznasty and Farnham were/are fan favorites in WBS.

anypne have a link to a stream for this game? I can't find one.

anypne have a link to a stream for this game? I can't find one.
- Dcoms

Crap. Finally have time to watch one of them and it doesn't appear the Pens are streaming this one.

Crap. Finally have time to watch one of them and it doesn't appear the Pens are streaming this one.
- madmike71

http://video.nhl.com/vide...nsole?id=834031&catid=616

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=834031&catid=616



- Fruitcakenipple

Thanks man!

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=834031&catid=616



- Fruitcakenipple

Thanks!!!!

Purely a selfish opinion by you Leagues other than the NHL have to make money and having players who attract people are very important. Without good players on those junior teams and they would fold up and then you would have no development of young players It is a good rule and should never change If you are good enough to make the jump then you will be rewarded. You can work on your skills in junior whether you believe it or not

Purely a selfish opinion by you Leagues other than the NHL have to make money and having players who attract people are very important. Without good players on those junior teams and they would fold up and then you would have no development of young players It is a good rule and should never change If you are good enough to make the jump then you will be rewarded. You can work on your skills in junior whether you believe it or not
- holeinone

While once again I don't care about this that much, but shouldn't we treat this like any other corporation and say that the market should dictate? If the transfer rule were to go away and the junior leagues go defunct, then that's just the way it was. It means that the elite u18 players thought that playing in the AHL was best for their development and wanted to go there instead. If the rule was to be done away with and there is an influx of talent to the AHL then that means that the junior leagues were actually holding kids pack.

Wanting to protect the junior league is more of a selfish opinion by the fans of junior hockey because if the transfer ruler were to go bye bye, the only reason why the junior leagues would go defunct would be because they weren't the best thing for NHL caliber prospects' development. Does that suck for the kids who don't have a shot at the NHL but want to play a higher level of hockey? Kind of but not really. without the junior leagues more high level hockey players would go the NCAA rout which is good for #CawlidgeHawkey, but is also good for the kids because if they don't pan out as professional hockey players they still come out with degrees.

Man the Leafs have some skill coming up holy crap! And I think Antoine Bibeau is their best goalie prospect, but the 3 they have used this weekend have been decent too. None are as good as our 2 boys though LOL. I can't believe this squad is 0 and 2 against 2 teams we beat, mostly with ease. I think these Leaf guys are trying to do too much individually and not playing as a team, if they start playing together watch out!

While once again I don't care about this that much, but shouldn't we treat this like any other corporation and say that the market should dictate? If the transfer rule were to go away and the junior leagues go defunct, then that's just the way it was. It means that the elite u18 players thought that playing in the AHL was best for their development and wanted to go there instead. If the rule was to be done away with and there is an influx of talent to the AHL then that means that the junior leagues were actually holding kids pack.

Wanting to protect the junior league is more of a selfish opinion by the fans of junior hockey because if the transfer ruler were to go bye bye, the only reason why the junior leagues would go defunct would be because they weren't the best thing for NHL caliber prospects' development. Does that suck for the kids who don't have a shot at the NHL but want to play a higher level of hockey? Kind of but not really. without the junior leagues more high level hockey players would go the NCAA rout which is good for #CawlidgeHawkey, but is also good for the kids because if they don't pan out as professional hockey players they still come out with degrees.
- Victoro311

U18 players can't play in the AHL, you have to be 18 to be drafted. CHL teams located in Canada will never fold. Most of those teams enjoy near sellout crowds every game no matter how bad the team is. In fact Juniour B and Juniour C CHL teams are very successful so the only teams that would have to worry are CHL teams located in the USA which have trouble getting anyone to come out as it is unless they are packed with super stars like the Otters. I think instead of changing the rule completely each NHL team should be able to advance 1-2 players per season to the AHL. That way it woudn't completely water down the CHL and the exceptional players like Sprong could get an early start on their careers.

While once again I don't care about this that much, but shouldn't we treat this like any other corporation and say that the market should dictate? If the transfer rule were to go away and the junior leagues go defunct, then that's just the way it was. It means that the elite u18 players thought that playing in the AHL was best for their development and wanted to go there instead. If the rule was to be done away with and there is an influx of talent to the AHL then that means that the junior leagues were actually holding kids pack.

Wanting to protect the junior league is more of a selfish opinion by the fans of junior hockey because if the transfer ruler were to go bye bye, the only reason why the junior leagues would go defunct would be because they weren't the best thing for NHL caliber prospects' development. Does that suck for the kids who don't have a shot at the NHL but want to play a higher level of hockey? Kind of but not really. without the junior leagues more high level hockey players would go the NCAA rout which is good for #CawlidgeHawkey, but is also good for the kids because if they don't pan out as professional hockey players they still come out with degrees.
- Victoro311

You are an idiot if you think that the development leagues players would all go to college Really moron

Purely a selfish opinion by you Leagues other than the NHL have to make money and having players who attract people are very important. Without good players on those junior teams and they would fold up and then you would have no development of young players It is a good rule and should never change If you are good enough to make the jump then you will be rewarded. You can work on your skills in junior whether you believe it or not
- holeinone

Perhaps you misunderstand me. First I am willing to compromise at age 19, not 18. Secondly, some players and teams would benefit from an ability to play non-college players at the AHL and NHL level who would benefit from that play. Lastly, why should Canadian junior teams have exclusive rights to young non-college players? That is very unfair to the players and the teams who are interested in them. All I am asking for is age 19 instead of 20. You could limit it to 3 players per team, whatever. I am not asking for all or none.

While once again I don't care about this that much, but shouldn't we treat this like any other corporation and say that the market should dictate? If the transfer rule were to go away and the junior leagues go defunct, then that's just the way it was. It means that the elite u18 players thought that playing in the AHL was best for their development and wanted to go there instead. If the rule was to be done away with and there is an influx of talent to the AHL then that means that the junior leagues were actually holding kids pack.

Wanting to protect the junior league is more of a selfish opinion by the fans of junior hockey because if the transfer ruler were to go bye bye, the only reason why the junior leagues would go defunct would be because they weren't the best thing for NHL caliber prospects' development. Does that suck for the kids who don't have a shot at the NHL but want to play a higher level of hockey? Kind of but not really. without the junior leagues more high level hockey players would go the NCAA rout which is good for #CawlidgeHawkey, but is also good for the kids because if they don't pan out as professional hockey players they still come out with degrees.
- Victoro311

The CHL is the best way for kids to get the most experience and development in between the ages of 16-18. If you remove it that's a monumental blow for hockey at the professional level. The fact that the CHL needs to ensure talent remains within the league for a given amount of years in order to make the league functional as an operation is hardly problematic with that in mind.

Ensuring NHL teams get full control of their prospects, at the significant sacrifice to the quality of players coming into the league seems foolish.

You are an idiot if you think that the development leagues players would all go to college Really moron
- holeinone

I'd take your slight at my intelligence a little more seriously if you figured out punctuation. Relax man, there's no need to get personal here. And why wouldn't they? If the junior leagues folded like you seem so sure they will if the transfer rule were to be done away with, some would go to Europe but for those who want to play at a higher level in NA, the NCAA is one of the very few options. That's how it works in basketball and football, I don't see what's so different about hockey that they should have a special arrangement.

You know I read the blog and really enjoyed the proper use of retard. In today's extremely sensitive society, especially considering the word used, I am happy to see people use words almost considered "no-no's" in their proper use. It almost makes me happy that there isn't just people out there looking to be offended. I mean I say the exact same thing and there is college classmates of mine jumping all over me. Anyway, haven't read much of yours, but keep up the good work.
Completely agree with the NHL/CHL agreement stifling some kids development. the fact of the matter though, is most kids it helps. There should be an extraordinary player clause, like in chl