He is still young. This might be one of the reasons Benning doesn't want to send him back to junior. Maybe he wants him to learn how to be a pro from guys like the Sedins.
- fiveandagame

Yes he has plenty of time to mature, but i'm not so sure he'll learn much at this level right now.

That's a matter of record. Shannahan has said many times that he wants players to learn how to be professionals in the AHL (and if necessary, ECHL) before they step foot into the NHL. A couple of years in the AHL will allow kids to turn into men while also ensuring that they get another year or two of RFA status. It would take somebody of generational talent to get them to change that approach.
- lumlums

Last i heard, AHL or NHl doesn't matter, you burn that year of RFA, same as that year of ELC.

If this team wasn't lacking so much depth neither Jake or Jared would be in the NHL this season. To defend JB and WD I think they know these 2 guys will be NHL regulars in the near future and its more about getting them the proper diet and training. The on ice skills will develop when the body is getting the proper growth. They have good leaders in the room to help these kids and it doesn't hurt to let them learn.
- thundachunk

Agreed. I think that the main difference here is that the Leafs signed a bunch of stop gap options to ensure that the kids would stay in the development leagues. One absolute benefit of having the Marlies be in Toronto is that there can be a lot more control over development (especially access to facilities, coaches, nutritionists etc) than with other teams that are so far away from their AHL teams. Moving the MArlies back to TO is pretty much the only good thing that JFJ did for this team

Last i heard, AHL or NHl doesn't matter, you burn that year of RFA, same as that year of ELC.
- Retinalz

I think that it eats into the Entry level contract, but as far as I recall, the RFA status is pushed back. Would need to check to be certain though...

They definitely does need change. Both JV and WN need time in the AHL they will both be decent NHL players.

People that see JV as a bust are just dumb. The kid just turned 19. His game is a lot different than Nylander Ehlers and McCann. I am sure all 4 will turn out fine
- VANTEL

For sure. It's been a tough tournament for JV, but he can move past it and hit his potential.

Yes he has plenty of time to mature, but i'm not so sure he'll learn much at this level right now.
- golfingsince

I think he'll learn more in the NHL than back in the CHL. At least he'll have guys like Hank and Danny to teach him how to be a pro. He'll also be learning WD's system, rather than the more wide-open junior game.

Yeah for as much crap as the Canucks got for the trade to Florida, Markstrom is looking like he could be a very good goalie.

- fiveandagame

But if we had made that trade, we would have had Schnieder over Miller right now, Kesler would have been dealt sooner and for better return. We also wouldn't have Horvat or McCann ...who knows what could have been.

I think that it eats into the Entry level contract, but as far as I recall, the RFA status is pushed back. Would need to check to be certain though...
- lumlums

It would be stupid if that was the case. a 20 year old rookie AHl burns a year of RFA but an 18y/o doesnt? All because he played in europe. What a crap shoot if that was correct.

It would be stupid if that was the case. a 20 year old rookie AHl burns a year of RFA but an 18y/o doesnt? All because he played in europe. What a crap shoot if that was correct.
- Retinalz

It's not to do with age, it's to do with games played in NHL... I think.

EDIT: I think that they must have played in parts of at least 7 NHL seasons to qualify for UFA. Hence if a guy starts in the NHL at 18 he can become UFA at 25/26 (like Stamkos)... if they start later they'll be UFA later.

Marner is way way to selfish had a nice 3rd period but you can see he thinks he's better than everyone hopefully it changes at nhl level cause he won't be at all. That being said man oh man was Virtanen absolutely brutal

It's not to do with age, it's to do with games played in NHL... I think.

EDIT: I think that they must have played in parts of at least 7 NHL seasons to qualify for UFA. Hence if a guy starts in the NHL at 18 he can become UFA at 25/26 (like Stamkos)... if they start later they'll be UFA later.
- lumlums

UFA is 27 years or 7 years or Pro. a 20 year old in his first year of AHL becomes UFA at 27, even if he never plays een a pre-season game at NHL. I would assume an 18 year old is no different.

Marner is way way to selfish had a nice 3rd period but you can see he thinks he's better than everyone hopefully it changes at nhl level cause he won't be at all. That being said man oh man was Virtanen absolutely brutal
- The_Kuze

I don't think it is cause for concern. His small NHL sample has him playing better at NHL level than in this tourney. With a proper coach, the entire team could have been better.

It's not to do with age, it's to do with games played in NHL... I think.

EDIT: I think that they must have played in parts of at least 7 NHL seasons to qualify for UFA. Hence if a guy starts in the NHL at 18 he can become UFA at 25/26 (like Stamkos)... if they start later they'll be UFA later.
- lumlums

I think that they should change the draft age to 19.
Anyone who is drafted regardless of birthday would be AHL eligible.

I think that they should change the draft age to 19.
Anyone who is drafted regardless of birthday would be AHL eligible.
- Pres.cup

Honestly brilliant or move ahl level age down one year to 18

Honestly brilliant or move ahl level age down one year to 18
- The_Kuze

That would be 2 years, it is currently 20. BUt you can qualify as a 19 y/o depending on when your birthday is. They could also make it only 3 years of CHL. That way people can go directly after drafted or draft +1.

Yes he did get under Leafman skin, he was giving a warning, got banned and came back as dshiddy, not smart in my opinion.

Now this goes the same here, there have been 2 leaf posters that didn't listen to reason, and I'm more than reasonable, but they also didn't listen. I've had enough of the references to burning down the city, and denigrating the canucks by fans of other teams.

Trash talking can be fun and quite enjoyable, just don't cross the line.

Hope this message is received by all, enjoy the day.
- Makita

Hey Makita, more cowbell!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1NxH9BdO1M

Honestly brilliant or move ahl level age down one year to 18
- The_Kuze

CHL would scream bloody murder, you MIGHT get them to agree to allowing 19 year old's to play in the AHL, but it would be a non-starter to have them only play 2 years of junior then leave to play in the A.

Most kids aren't ready to make the jump to the A at 18, let alone 19. Virtanen and his NHL body aside, you aren't going to get players ready to take the kind of pounding they're going to take there. I've always advocated RAISING the draft age to 20, so that there's no issue with body size/weight/age to play in the NHL or AHL. Not to mention it's a lot easier to see where a player's development curve and things to work on are when they're that age. Most of the major emotional/mental/physical development's already done.

Truthfully, the reason the draft age is 18 is because back when they instituted the draft, they had just started expanding with the California (Oakland) Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the St. Louis Blues and those teams didn't have arrangements with junior clubs to be able to sign their players to development contracts and control them and the NHL wanted to give the new teams a chance. There was no AHL/ECHL like there is today back then either.

Honestly brilliant or move ahl level age down one year to 18
- The_Kuze

If you moved it down to 18 the chl would suffer, keeping it at 20 makes no sense accept for those players that are not good enough to be drafted or the chl.

Moving the draft up one year to 19 would keep the true elite players(mMcdavid, Crosby, etc. ..) around for one more year of chl, which would be good for them(chl teams).
Lowering the AHL age by one year would allow better development of prospects once they have been drafted.
The only ones to not benefit would be the 18 year olds who are to Good for the chl and are not draft eligible.

That would be 2 years, it is currently 20. BUt you can qualify as a 19 y/o depending on when your birthday is. They could also make it only 3 years of CHL. That way people can go directly after drafted or draft +1.
- Retinalz

It's 4 years played in the CHL or 20 years old, and it's unusual for a player to make it 4 years by 19 because most players at 15 taken in the bantam draft play major midget for 1 year before they make their major junior roster.

EDIT: Meh, read your post wrong... Didn't read that you meant it should only be 3 years no that it is 3 years currently

I know . I posted this for those who think JV is a bust . We always hear about how we should have taken Ehlers or Nylander . I am quite happy with both of our picks
- VANTEL

Every team needs a skilled little guy but you can't have a team full of them like the Leafs and their smurf prospects. Big, fast and tough players are very hard to find. Specially ones with 20 goal upside

Virtanen Sucks

Horvat looking like he sucks, at least not as good as he's been hyped

Benning sucks, Trying to win when he should be trying to lose

Did I miss anything?

But if we had made that trade, we would have had Schnieder over Miller right now, Kesler would have been dealt sooner and for better return. We also wouldn't have Horvat or McCann ...who knows what could have been.
- Retinalz

Horvats nothing special

Schnieder > Horvat

Virtanen Sucks

Horvat looking like he sucks, at least not as good as he's been hyped

Benning sucks, Trying to win when he should be trying to lose

Did I miss anything?
- TheGame316

Sbisa, Sutter & Prust.

Oh, also, they let Kassian & Lack go for next to nothing.

Now you can go back to your "Little House on the Prairie" marathon.

Every team needs a skilled little guy but you can't have a team full of them like the Leafs and their smurf prospects. Big, fast and tough players are very hard to find. Specially ones with 20 goal upside
- CanuckDon

Nylander is 5'11 and came into camp this year at 190lbs.
Marner is 5'11 164lbs, which makes him bigger at draft than Patrick Kane. He's also from a family of late growers... he'll get to 6', 185-190 no problem.
Timashov is only 5'9 but is already over 190lbs.
Dermott is 5'11 but is almost 200lbs.

There's not too many who are worried to be honest. I'd be more worried if there was a lack of skill.

It's 4 years played in the CHL or 20 years old, and it's unusual for a player to make it 4 years by 19 because most players at 15 taken in the bantam draft play major midget for 1 year before they make their major junior roster.

EDIT: Meh, read your post wrong... Didn't read that you meant it should only be 3 years no that it is 3 years currently
- DariusKnight

Thank you for learning to read. So few people here do sometimes(myself incuded)