You can always do those re-drafts by weeding out the players who underperformed relative to expectations. Thing is, Nico/Patrick were the consensus 1-2 picks. You can't use the knowledge of now to re-draft back then. You have to use the knowledge you had back then. And neither player was a reach with that knowledge. The draft would go the way it did, and if Canucks for example had the 1 or 2 pick, they would have chosen Nico/Patrick.
- PT21

The point is if draft age was raised to 20 the knowledge and predictability of the selections wouldn’t be as bad as it is now. Draft age too young. Look at Myers. Not drafted. Goes away for a summer grows 4 inches gains 15 pounds. In 1 summer

The point is if draft age was raised to 20 the knowledge and predictability of the selections wouldn’t be as bad as it is now. Draft age too young. Look at Myers. Not drafted. Goes away for a summer grows 4 inches gains 15 pounds. In 1 summer
- SMS4016

Its an interesting point, but there are so many variables that it is difficult to say that the reason you provide is the determining one and that 1 more year was the difference.

Because most players play at least a year after being drafted, the sample size of the "NHL ready" is small. And there is some variability there. The first 3 picks of 18: Dahlin, Svechnikov, KK all seem to have played from the start. Seems to have turned out ok for them. Laine and Pullujarvi were linemates - former played from the start, did well; latter sent down to minors but never did well. Keith Tkachuk played from the start.

Obviously a player has to be physically ready to play in the NHL. What you're not getting is that changing the draft age doesn't change much. There is no reason to do it. End of story.
- MJL

Doesn’t change much? Yeah these players physically and mentally about the same at age 17-18 compared to 20. Yep I don’t get it. We should’ve played Hart when he was drafted. Saying the age difference doesn’t change much is completely ridiculous.

Its an interesting point, but there are so many variables that it is difficult to say that the reason you provide is the determining one and that 1 more year was the difference.

Because most players play at least a year after being drafted, the sample size of the "NHL ready" is small. And there is some variability there. The first 3 picks of 18: Dahlin, Svechnikov, KK all seem to have played from the start. Seems to have turned out ok for them. Laine and Pullujarvi were linemates - former played from the start, did well; latter sent down to minors but never did well. Keith Tkachuk played from the start.
- PT21

Yes a very few select can play at 18. Again all the examples given are stud players. Even most very good players shouldn’t be in nhl at 18. Very few physically mature are talented enough let alone mentally strong enough. Crap Hart had his mom come and cook him dinners. I’m not saying it CANT be done. I’m saying 99% of the time it shouldn’t. And after seeing bust Jvr and bust Patrick get picked by us I don’t see why any flyers fan wouldn’t want draft age raised. Many in league want this. Obviously nhlpa doesnt. As more and more realize the bust that Nolan is and the 4 picks right after him excel maybe more will understand why draft age should be raised

The point is if draft age was raised to 20 the knowledge and predictability of the selections wouldn’t be as bad as it is now. Draft age too young. Look at Myers. Not drafted. Goes away for a summer grows 4 inches gains 15 pounds. In 1 summer
- SMS4016

Phil Myers with the Scottie Pippen growth spurt.

If you take away 2 years of poential earnings for top-end players by changing the draft age, I think you'll see a lot of players going overseas. That's why Gretzky started in the WHA: the NHL had a draft age of 19, WHA was 18.

If you take away 2 years of poential earnings for top-end players by changing the draft age, I think you'll see a lot of players going overseas. That's why Gretzky started in the WHA: the NHL had a draft age of 19, WHA was 18.
- jmatchett383

IMO, going overseas for a year would be pretty awesome from a hockey development and personal development standpoint.

See: Auston Matthews.

Yes a very few select can play at 18. Again all the examples given are stud players. Even most very good players shouldn’t be in nhl at 18. Very few physically mature are talented enough let alone mentally strong enough. Crap Hart had his mom come and cook him dinners. I’m not saying it CANT be done. I’m saying 99% of the time it shouldn’t. And after seeing bust Jvr and bust Patrick get picked by us I don’t see why any flyers fan wouldn’t want draft age raised. Many in league want this. Obviously nhlpa doesnt. As more and more realize the bust that Nolan is and the 4 picks right after him excel maybe more will understand why draft age should be raised
- SMS4016

Yeah I do understand there might be less variability to picking later, but as others have pointed out, that is 5-8% of a players average playing years.

More relevantly, how do you know the same variability will not be present say, 2 years later? Lets say you draft min age 20. Turns out, guys who went 1-2 turned out worse than guys 3-6 say 2 years later. Would you then say that we should have made min age 22?

Doesn't matter how old he is if the Flyers pick him.

Yeah I do understand there might be less variability to picking later, but as others have pointed out, that is 5-8% of a players average playing years.

More relevantly, how do you know the same variability will not be present say, 2 years later? Lets say you draft min age 20. Turns out, guys who went 1-2 turned out worse than guys 3-6 say 2 years later. Would you then say that we should have made min age 22?
- PT21

I get what you’re saying... the reason I say 20 for draft age is 95% of players return to some form of jrs for 2 years then turn pro. Usually 1 -2 years in ahl then nhl. 20 is ideal age to hold draft as that’s when most players are physically and emotionally mature enough to turn pro. Yes there would still be variables but to much less extent for swinging and missing especially in the top rounds. Pretty sad when each draft year a team NEEDS to hit on 1st round pick and hope to catch gold rest of draft.

If you take away 2 years of poential earnings for top-end players by changing the draft age, I think you'll see a lot of players going overseas. That's why Gretzky started in the WHA: the NHL had a draft age of 19, WHA was 18.
- jmatchett383

Yeah I get that and that’s why nhlpa doesn’t want age raised. Protecting the star players to get big payday a little sooner but most players don’t make nhl roster until at least 20 or older anyways. Take farabee for example. Drafted at 18. Plays 1 season in college probably should’ve played whole season this year in college or ahl. And he’s a top prospect. Our best prospect along with frost. Should hit nhl at 20. All our other prospects won’t see nhl if at all until well past 20 years old. So leaving draft age at 18 compared to 20 for earnings of players gotta be less than 10% of players. Probably less than 5% doesn’t really make sense when compared to the advantages of being able to properly project a player at 20 years old compared to 18. Most gms in the league what age raised for that reason

I get what you’re saying... the reason I say 20 for draft age is 95% of players return to some form of jrs for 2 years then turn pro. Usually 1 -2 years in ahl then nhl. 20 is ideal age to hold draft as that’s when most players are physically and emotionally mature enough to turn pro. Yes there would still be variables but to much less extent for swinging and missing especially in the top rounds. Pretty sad when each draft year a team NEEDS to hit on 1st round pick and hope to catch gold rest of draft.
- SMS4016

I think the current age is fine. Look at the NFL. GM's and scouts get to see players for 2-4 years in basically the best developmental league in the world and still miss on draft picks.

I agree you have more data and maybe a better picture of the player physically if you wait two years. However, I think there are enough players that make it to the league and have an impact that changing the age isn't worth it.

Probably better now than to try to move him later.

They definitely need to clear some of these overpaid guys once their season ends.

I would say JVR is a must move.

Ghost is a must if you aren’t going to play him.

And ideally one of Jake or Giroux.

That gives them plenty of room to address their needs via FA and trade.
- hereticpride

Pretty much this. Get as much as you can for Jake, Ghost and JVR.

Holy smokes, just found out that JVR has 0 points in 9 games, yikes!

Zaitsev for JVR?