Theo, about Taige Harding, I think Ricco brought this up before but he’s playing in a Tier 2 Junior league in Alberta. Not sure why? Unless he’s looking to get into College? If not him playing in a second rate Junior leage makes no sense. He should be playing Major Junior or College.
I will keep this as short as possible so as not to confuse.
The CHL (Canada), aka Major Junior, made up of three 20 team leagues, OHL-WHL-QMJHL, are the only jr leagues in the world where if you skate 1 minute of even one practice you lose all NCAA eligibility cuz the players get a stipend.
CJHL (Canada), aka Jr A, and to a lesser extent known as Tier 1 (USHL is known as Tier 1 and the NAHL is known as Tier II both US based leagues). This link may or may not help you. It is written by a Canadian so when they compare leagues IMO it's skewed. https://goaliecoaches.com...g-junior-hockey-path-nhl/
Now Harding. He's playing in the AJHL, Canadian Jr A. Makar came out of that league. Fair to rank that league below Major Junior, USHL, BCHL and NAHL. He was drafted by Fargo of the USHL and decided to stay as a 19 yr old in a much inferior league.
Yrs ago I posted the same concern about Hawk 2014 3rd rd pick Beau Starrett. Drafted by USHL powerhouse Dubuque he decided to stay in the much much much inferior USPHL. Red flag then and a red flag, but not a deal breaker, with Harding. https://www.eliteprospect...ayer/252369/beau-starrett - Mr Ricochet
As Elbows pointed out yesterday, not sure if you saw it, Harding has committed to Providence College which is what I had wondered and it’s good to hear and i think that removes that “red flag”.
. As Elbows pointed out yesterday, not sure if you saw it, Harding has committed to Providence College which is what I had wondered and it’s good to hear and i think that removes that “red flag”. - paulr
Paul, Harding can play in any Jr league on earth, EXCEPT for any of the 3 CHL leagues, aka Major Junior, and keep his NCAA eligibility. He did not have to stay in the inferior AJHL to play at Providence, or any NCAA program.
To say he had to stay in the AJHL to play at Providence in the future is incorrect although staying there will keep his eligibility. My point is, as it was with Starrett, is you have a kid drafted that is choosing to stay in an inferior league when his NCAA eligibility would not be compromised to play at a higher level and that to me is a red flag but also as mentioned not a deal breaker.
I can't add more to this without becoming redundant or confusing.
Paul, Harding can play in any Jr league on earth, EXCEPT for any of the 3 CHL leagues, aka Major Junior, and keep his NCAA eligibility. He did not have to stay in the inferior AJHL to play at Providence, or any NCAA program.
To say he had to stay in the AJHL to play at Providence in the future is incorrect although staying there will keep his eligibility. My point is, as it was with Starrett, is you have a kid drafted that is choosing to stay in an inferior league when his NCAA eligibility would not be compromised to play at a higher level and that to me is a red flag but also as mentioned not a deal breaker.
I can't add more to this without becoming redundant or confusing. - Mr Ricochet
I fully understand what you mean and always have, and I’m not arguing. My point to Theo was that Harding collected the honours playing in a second rate junior league and that if he wasn’t in Major Junior or College then what was he doing playing in the AJHL, figuring he was of age and having completed high school. I brought your name up because of your previous issue with Harding. Elbows pointed out that he had already committed to Providence so it alleviated my concern.
As you pointed out, keeping his college eligibility playing in an inferior junior league didn’t hurt Makar so perhaps it won’t hurt Harding? Maybe moving to the US wasn’t something he was prepared to do for any number of reasons, maturity, his comfort moving away from home, the pandemic or another reason.
Not knowing he wasn’t finished high school, not knowing he had committed to the NCAA and still playing in Tier 2 junior made me wonder if he was just playing there to be the big fish in a small pond, no pun intended.
I agree with Borgstrum getting more TOI and more PP time. But why not have him and Dach carry the puck up on the 2nd PP unit instead of Kurashev and Dach on the PP. Borgstrum sees the ice and stickhandles much better than Kurashev. - Ztra
I think Kurashev is a bit like Borstrom in that he needs a steady stretch of consistent ice time to properly evaluate him outside of playing under Colliton. Don't have an opinion where to slot him though. Just hope King and management use NHL ice time wisely this yr.
I fully understand what you mean and always have, and I’m not arguing. My point to Theo was that Harding collected the honours playing in a second rate junior league and that if he wasn’t in Major Junior or College then what was he doing playing in the AJHL, figuring he was of age and having completed high school. I brought your name up because of your previous issue with Harding. Elbows pointed out that he had already committed to Providence so it alleviated my concern.
As you pointed out, keeping his college eligibility playing in an inferior junior league didn’t hurt Makar so perhaps it won’t hurt Harding? Maybe moving to the US wasn’t something he was prepared to do for any number of reasons, maturity, his comfort moving away from home, the pandemic or another reason.
Not knowing he wasn’t finished high school, not knowing he had committed to the NCAA and still playing in Tier 2 junior made me wonder if he was just playing there to be the big fish in a small pond, no pun intended. - paulr
Makar was drafted out of the AJHL, never played another shift there after he was drafted and left for the NCAA the very next yr. A big jump. Harding was drafted out of the AJHL and despite options to move up, although I severely doubt he'd have made the Providence squad, he chose to stay there as a 19 yr old. IMO there is little doubt that will slow his development, but:
There are many many reasons a kid stays home and you point out a few of them. It's why I qualify my statement of it being a red flag and not a deal breaker cuz I don't know any details. .......... But my default always will be you play at the highest level you can find without being overwhelmed.
And I don't think you're arguing my main concern is confusing you or the reader. Jr hockey is beyond complicated with so many leagues, in different countries and different rules to play in each and every league. Think of it as almost having to be a capologist to simply follow Jrs correctly so what little I know and understanding its complexities I do not want to confuse.
Ok, I'll confuse. I don't consider the AJHL 2nd rate and rank it 5th in NA. And just cuz Harding is committed to Providence does not mean they won't pull his scholarship, it happens.
Hopefully the kid simply wanted to develop under his coach. Kid is 6ft 7in and with that comes unique challenges and maybe this coach is the best he's ever had. ..... This is where scouts earn their money BEFORE a kid is drafted. They dig and dig and I bet they know why he stayed in the AJHL whether it's a proper reason or a maturity/lack of confidence thing.
Ottawa goaltender Murray has a history of landing on the disabled list for large chunks in a season. I vote to use Laakinen as starter or sharing net with Soderstrom next season. For Ottawa to give up on the talented Murray is telling. Realize what you get if you have Murray. His contract with term is not attractive This sort of reminds of another Murray, dman and long time Blue Jacket, with New Jersey last year, and on a one year contract on Colorado this season. He was a #2 overall but I wonder has he spent more time on disabled list than games played in his career.
First of all I prefer Kane retires with a full career Blackhawks ride.
Secondly, if you are in the shoes of the Buffalo GM, your first concern is rebuilding through the draft. He should feel no pressure to trade for home town Kane. And if he did, he cannot win this trade if he gives away too much future.
Does Buffalo have potentially a #1 center or #1 dman. Do you think they would trade Dahlen and do you like him? If only draft choices subject to lottery placement, the value from Buffalo is no sure thing. You would be wise to see where they draft if you want to pursue trading Kane.
I say a caning to those whom would trade Kane. I believe Reichel addition makes us a DeBrincat Reichel as opposed to DeBrincat/Kane tean IF KANE moves along
Location: I was going to do the math on this but I don't think it will help., IL Joined: 08.04.2013
Nov 27 @ 5:39 PM ET
As Elbows pointed out yesterday, not sure if you saw it, Harding has committed to Providence College which is what I had wondered and it’s good to hear and i think that removes that “red flag”. - paulr
Staying in that league is probably the best for him at this time. He is at best a long term project. Moving to another junior league, like the USHL, would have meant making two major moves for a teenager. One to the USHL and then one to Providence. He is doing exactly what you want from him this season. He is dominating that league. While it is considered a tier II league, in recent years there are having a few more player being drafted out of that league.
He is gonna need a couple years at Providence at the very least.
Location: I was going to do the math on this but I don't think it will help., IL Joined: 08.04.2013
Nov 27 @ 5:49 PM ET
Nice game by UM beating OSU. Wonder if it will precipitate an Edzo flyby. - HawkintheD
OSU's D has been poop all season. Teams fell behind early against them and abandoned the run game. They couldn't stop the run early in the season and UM shoved the ball right up their ass today.
