You know LA, one of the advantages of playing NCAA is you play 35ish games as opposed to Major Junior where you play 75 games. Gives a kid much much more time in the weight/film rooms and many more practices.

It's a real advantage for some players especially smaller/leaner kids. Generally speaking you get an NCAA kid that is more fundamentally sound, stronger and mature but maybe less game skill than a kid that took the Major Junior path.

No hard and fast right or wrong as each path has its advantages but I do like the NCAA path.
- Mr Ricochet

For the Bedards of the world Major Junior is a great way to go because he’s basically a sure thing. But for fringe guys NCAA is the only way to go for the education in the event there isn’t a future in pro hockey.

For the Bedards of the world Major Junior is a great way to go because he’s basically a sure thing. But for fringe guys NCAA is the only way to go for the education in the event there isn’t a future in pro hockey.
- paulr

Maybe 20 yrs ago, but not anymore, Paul. The Fantillis, Powers, Berniers, Troubas, Johnsons, Hughes, Cooleys, Tkachuks, Celebrinis, Eisermans, Larkins and on and on and on are going top 5, even 1st overall. Fringe players, Paul? Hardly.

Not anymore Paul and with the Indentured Servitude Clause Maior Junior kids are bound by the number of kids who might go the MJ route will go to the NCAA for their draft yr will only grow.

That said Canada and MJ supplies the majority of kids for the NHL but not near what they once did.

Keller is no Bedard. But you can see how much of an effect a really good player can have on a team.
Also on Keller...... He was drafted 7th overall in 2016. Only 5'10". (Same size and position as Michkov. Of course Michkov would not be available right away, if ever) Played a full NHL season in 2017/18. Has averaged .75 pts per game on a really bad team most of his 6 year career.

Maybe 20 yrs ago, but not anymore, Paul. The Fantillis, Powers, Berniers, Troubas, Johnsons, Hughes, Cooleys, Tkachuks, Celebrinis, Eisermans, Larkins and on and on and on are going top 5, even 1st overall. Fringe players, Paul? Hardly.

Not anymore Paul and with the Indentured Servitude Clause Maior Junior kids are bound by the number of kids who might go the MJ route will go to the NCAA for their draft yr will only grow.

That said Canada and MJ supplies the majority of kids for the NHL but not near what they once did.
- Mr Ricochet

Not what I meant. The fringe players get another option (education) with NCAA that the for sure players don’t necessarily need. I’ve said it before if I were a parent of a young hockey player who had lots of potential, even if he was extremely good, I would push him the NCAA route because of the education factor.

Kid (Kaiser) is not thinking, just playing using his coaching, fundamentals and IQ. ...... Very nice showing from a 20 yr old in his first NHL game.
- Mr Ricochet

Ture 'dat.

Maybe 20 yrs ago, but not anymore, Paul. The Fantillis, Powers, Berniers, Troubas, Johnsons, Hughes, Cooleys, Tkachuks, Celebrinis, Eisermans, Larkins and on and on and on are going top 5, even 1st overall. Fringe players, Paul? Hardly.

Not anymore Paul and with the Indentured Servitude Clause Maior Junior kids are bound by the number of kids who might go the MJ route will go to the NCAA for their draft yr will only grow.

That said Canada and MJ supplies the majority of kids for the NHL but not near what they once did.
- Mr Ricochet

Sure, but paulr specified fringe guys. In that case, I would say he is 100% correct.

Also the indentured servitude comment is unnecessary. Canada and MJ teams need to make money, where that is less of an issue with college. Keeping the high end talent there for a year is a small price to pay to keep those leagues going. And let's be honest, even if a kid had the skill, speed, and IQ to play in the NHL in his teens, the vast majority of them need to fill out in order for them to properly hold up in the league.

And now for some coming attractions

https://twitter.com/gregb...&t=-lYSo_1RuJFY9DF5E7gGcw

UPDATED

Potential? Possible? Likely? Winnable? games:
Jackets - none
Sharks - at Vancouver, at Arizona
Ducks - Vancouver, at Arizona, Vancouver
Blackhawks - Vancouver, at Vancouver, Philly
Canadiens - Columbus, at Philly
Flyers - Columbus

Final standings (in reverse)
32) Jackets 49 points
31) Sharks 56 points
30) Hawks 60 points
29) Ducks 62 points
28) Flyers 63 points
27) Canadiens 64 points

Games against the Canucks will have a major effect on the "Bad for Bedard" sweepstakes.

Also at year end teams firmly in the playoffs with their seeding set may take their foot off the gas and play back up goalies and a few callups. So that is always a factor in predictability.

Kaiser players bigger than his 175 lbs. plus and looks very comfortable giving the body, holding the middle, a real nice quick burst, and nice poise and seems like his start is quite better than Ian Mitchell's
- wiz1901

They mentioned on the broadcast he is up to 190 these days. Sure didn't stop him from boxing guys out in front of the net in his 15 minutes. They couldn't move him.

I know they need to get to the cap floor, but there has to be better $3 mil players than AA.
Won’t miss Khaira either.
- Ztra

AA may understand quantum physics for all we know. On the ice he is a dumb as a box of rocks. Reichel gifted him a goal last night except AA failed to do what ever pee-wee players knows when on your off side during a 2 on 1, open up your (frank)ing hips.

For the Bedards of the world Major Junior is a great way to go because he’s basically a sure thing. But for fringe guys NCAA is the only way to go for the education in the event there isn’t a future in pro hockey.
- paulr

Yeah, I am not sure you realize how many NHL'ers have come through the NCAA ranks these days. Many don't spend the 4 years in the NCAA but as of 2019 a third of all NHL player have spent time playing college hockey. That is a 50% increase from 2000.

AA may understand quantum physics for all we know. On the ice he is a dumb as a box of rocks. Reichel gifted him a goal last night except AA failed to do what ever pee-wee players knows when on your off side during a 2 on 1, open up your (frank)ing hips.
- Elbows15

Some guys are just frustrating to watch, AA is one of them, although C Jones seems to be making less dumb plays according to some, he’s another one that’s hard to watch. I don’t mind watching a rebuilding team, just hate seeing dumb hockey players making the same mistakes time after time.

Some guys are just frustrating to watch, AA is one of them, although C Jones seems to be making less dumb plays according to some, he’s another one that’s hard to watch. I don’t mind watching a rebuilding team, just hate seeing dumb hockey players making the same mistakes time after time.
- Angotti

Yea like Katchouk being high on the last goal against? I hear you

Yea like Katchouk being high on the last goal against? I hear you
- BetweenTheDots

He knew it too, right away, hit himself in head with his stick saying; "Dumb ass, you should have been lower"

He knew it too, right away, hit himself in head with his stick saying; "Dumb ass, you should have been lower"
- vabeachbear

Exactly, at the same time though he's only played 100 games so he's in the live and learn stage still.

Yeah, I am not sure you realize how many NHL'ers have come through the NCAA ranks these days. Many don't spend the 4 years in the NCAA but as of 2019 a third of all NHL player have spent time playing college hockey. That is a 50% increase from 2000.
- Elbows15

C’mon Elbows you know me better than that, of course I know that. And that isn’t what I’m saying. My point is both ways are different but the only way any smart parent would guide their son is through the NCAA, obviously if the kid’s marks allow for him to go that route. In most cases NCAA is the best route but it’s even better for fringe players because of the education aspect.

Let's say:
1) Hawks resign their RFA's at small increases
2) Domi comes back for about $5 mil for 3 to 5 years
3) Toews retires

That will leave the Hawks about $6 mil below cap floor (without Toews and including Keith, McCabe, Connolly, and Borgstrom hits).

If Toews wants to play in Chicago he probably comes back on a 1 year performance bonus heavy contract for players 35 years and older. Maybe a $4 mil base. So that would get them pretty close to the cap.

Some guys are just frustrating to watch, AA is one of them, although C Jones seems to be making less dumb plays according to some, he’s another one that’s hard to watch. I don’t mind watching a rebuilding team, just hate seeing dumb hockey players making the same mistakes time after time.
- Angotti

For all the pissing and moaning about Murphy around these parts, it sure seems like #4, #82 or both are usually fishing the puck out of the net.

I wouldn't even call this group part of the rebuild. How many guys do you figure will be around next season? Let alone in 2 seasons. 3-4?

C’mon Elbows you know me better than that, of course I know that. And that isn’t what I’m saying. My point is both ways are different but the only way any smart parent would guide their son is through the NCAA, obviously if the kid’s marks allow for him to go that route. In most cases NCAA is the best route but it’s even better for fringe players because of the education aspect.
- paulr

I was surprised myself that the number was so high. More parents shold be encouraging their kids to take route considering how many kids are in Major Juniors that are left with nothing at the end of their careers.

Go Ducks (vs Nucks)!!!!

For all the pissing and moaning about Murphy around these parts, it sure seems like #4, #82 or both are usually fishing the puck out of the net.


- Elbows15

Noticed that too a lot this season - and a fair few times after knocking into their own goalie, screening their own goalie, playing the shooter on a 2:1 as the 1 guy, or sprawling all over the ice after wiping out in some desperation to chase down someone (generally failing to as well).

Yeh - they look like beer league players trying to play against hockey players.

Not what I meant. The fringe players get another option (education) with NCAA that the for sure players don’t necessarily need. I’ve said it before if I were a parent of a young hockey player who had lots of potential, even if he was extremely good, I would push him the NCAA route because of the education factor.
- paulr

Even rereading your post Paul, I can miss its intention but as you said in another post it should have been understood because you posted it. Indeed, anyone who's read you for even a little while should have known better. ........My apologies if my post was offensive.

The days where I pull out stats defending, and battle for, the USHL/Jr A/NCAA route are long gone. As you know paths taken to the NHL can be confusing to a lot of readers who don't follow the sport to it's lower levels and that was what I was trying to point out in my response. Nothing more.

But, and as I posted, Major Junior/CHL (OHL/WHL/QMJHL) is still the major feeder for the NHL draft and it's still the very best jr league in the world. And (this is for you Chunk) the NHL-CHL "agreement" is a huge reason for that as it keeps many kids stuck in the league when they should be playing AHL. The USHL/Jr A doesn't have that advantage and as a result the majority of their best players move on after their draft yr.

Exactly, at the same time though he's only played 100 games so he's in the live and learn stage still.
- BetweenTheDots

Katchouk sure is getting a lot of love around the internets right now, and well deserved. Watching LR move him to the 2nd unit PP last night, along with PK duties and his line moved up to #3 I'm thinking LR is challenging him and seeing just what he has in Katchouk.

A good yr/time to do that but these situations remind be of the great Earl Weaver. When asked why he doesn't give x player more playing time/at bats, I never forgot his response even 40 yrs later.

He said, "play a reserve 2 weeks straight he'll show you why he's a 5th infielder"!....... Indeed. LR is putting a lot on Katchouk's plate looking to find out just what he has in the youngish player.

Fun times right now in Hawks Land.

Sure, but paulr specified fringe guys. In that case, I would say he is 100% correct.

Also the indentured servitude comment is unnecessary. Canada and MJ teams need to make money, where that is less of an issue with college. Keeping the high end talent there for a year is a small price to pay to keep those leagues going. And let's be honest, even if a kid had the skill, speed, and IQ to play in the NHL in his teens, the vast majority of them need to fill out in order for them to properly hold up in the league.
- Chunk

Chunk, I've fought the labor vs management battle all my working life since 19 yrs old. I've evolved to understand the nuances thru decades of experience but it is just in my DNA that not allowing labor to move on/up to better themselves just rubs me the wrong way.

I've evolved and understand the reasoning for the NHL-CHL Agreement. Yes, solvency of jrs teams/leagues is essential for obvious reasons but look at the USHL and I'll use Korchinski as an example.

Minus the Agreement he's playing AHL this yr but is forced to stay in the WHL the reasoning being his, and many MJ klds like him, put butts in the seats bringing dollars to the owners allowing them to stay solvent.

If Korchinski was in the USHL, or Jr A, he'd be playing NCAA this yr or could play AHL. Regardless though the Korchinskis of the USHL, guys like Fantilli and Hughes, move on after their draft yr and the USHL stays solvent..... That in a nutshell shows why the CHL is better hockey than the USHL and kinda disproves the argument the CHL-NHL Agreement is essential to keep CHL franchises solvent.

In KD’s tank calculation, I guess he didn’t foresee (as I believe no one did) how pathetic Columbus has been this year, especially when they landed the “big prize” FA of the offseason Goudreau.