Jeremy Laura: What impact will “Major League Hockey” have on the NHL?

League will fold within months

League will fold within months
- Feds91Stammer

I don’t think it’s financially viable, but I don’t know the Euro group that owns it. They converted the XFL, have basketball, Rugby and Soccer leagues. I have to imagine the NHL won’t be overly cooperative on a transfer agreement especially if they are targeting players in jr.

I don’t think it’s financially viable, but I don’t know the Euro group that owns it. They converted the XFL, have basketball, Rugby and Soccer leagues. I have to imagine the NHL won’t be overly cooperative on a transfer agreement especially if they are targeting players in jr.
- Jeremy Laura

I don’t see anyone capable of playing pro hockey or anyone with pro aspirations wasting their time with the league. It will resemble beer league hockey more than it will pro hockey.

I don’t see anyone capable of playing pro hockey or anyone with pro aspirations wasting their time with the league. It will resemble beer league hockey more than it will pro hockey.
- Feds91Stammer

The basketball version is mostly retired players. Where this gets interesting is they are looking at Jr and college along w pro. I think this will appeal to players who can’t get an NHL gig as an option to going overseas. Regardless, not near enough info available. You can hit their website. Supposedly already had a draft but who knows

I could possibly see it having a little bit of success. I honestly hope so. If they do, it could coax the NHL into making some needed changes.

I could possibly see it having a little bit of success. I honestly hope so. If they do, it could coax the NHL into making some needed changes.
- The Judge

It took another league to get the NHL to make changes before. The basketball version of this is only playing about 10 games and C. Clark was offered 5m. No clue how to watch the new league, what the team names are etc. Roenick is the only name I’ve heard associated so far

Here is the league’s website: https://www.majorleaguehockey.com/#details

I could possibly see it having a little bit of success. I honestly hope so. If they do, it could coax the NHL into making some needed changes.
- The Judge

It’s a gimmick league that will severely lack talent. They will not apply any pressure to the NHL.

It’s a gimmick league that will severely lack talent. They will not apply any pressure to the NHL.
- Feds91Stammer

They may not, but they don’t have to do much to be attractive jr players. 2 games per week, 100k bonus if your team wins, average salary of 2m and 24 minute games. This came out of left field. I wouldn’t just brush it off. 2 m with no escrow and a shorter schedule. Just going to watch it play out. They have teams in Ontario and New York according to the website. Worth at least knowing about.

They may not, but they don’t have to do much to be attractive jr players. 2 games per week, 100k bonus if your team wins, average salary of 2m and 24 minute games. This came out of left field. I wouldn’t just brush it off. 2 m with no escrow and a shorter schedule. Just going to watch it play out. They have teams in Ontario and New York according to the website. Worth at least knowing about.
- Jeremy Laura

That is key right there. I think they will attract decent talent. Will the league be profitable and grow is the question.

Jeremy Laura: What impact will “Major League Hockey” have on the NHL?
- Jeremy Laura

None. It's not happening at all.

Here is the league’s website: https://www.majorleaguehockey.com/#details
- Jeremy Laura

Knowing some of the individuals they have reached out to it's extremely clear that somebody read the playbook for the AAF and tried to apply it to hockey before getting anyone with an actual name tied to it to lend it credence.

Knowing some of the individuals they have reached out to it's extremely clear that somebody read the playbook for the AAF and tried to apply it to hockey before getting anyone with an actual name tied to it to lend it credence.
- BINGO!

We’ll let it play out. It may well do nothing. Again, worth knowing about. The league owners have multiple sports with an ownership group in Europe. We’ll know soon enough

That is key right there. I think they will attract decent talent. Will the league be profitable and grow is the question.
- The Judge

Hockey is insanely difficult to turn a profit. The reduced travel, limited dates and pay may attract someone. It’s going to boil down to fan interest, sponsorship and broadcast. There’s more coming so it’s a wait and see. Just interesting

None. It's not happening at all.
- BINGO!

So your take is that no games will be played? Just confirming

So your take is that no games will be played? Just confirming
- Jeremy Laura

Correct. I don't believe this is anywhere near as close to being as concrete as they want people to believe.

Again, this is more "Alliance of American Football" than it is CFL.

They may not, but they don’t have to do much to be attractive jr players. 2 games per week, 100k bonus if your team wins, average salary of 2m and 24 minute games. This came out of left field. I wouldn’t just brush it off. 2 m with no escrow and a shorter schedule. Just going to watch it play out. They have teams in Ontario and New York according to the website. Worth at least knowing about.
- Jeremy Laura

Except they do. Good junior players will want to play real hockey so they have a chance to go pro. Not just play in some glorified beer league that will fold because nobody will watch or pay for it.

Correct. I don't believe this is anywhere near as close to being as concrete as they want people to believe.

Again, this is more "Alliance of American Football" than it is CFL.
- BINGO!

Agreed. They’re full of poop.

Correct. I don't believe this is anywhere near as close to being as concrete as they want people to believe.

Again, this is more "Alliance of American Football" than it is CFL.
- BINGO!

Ok, let’s see how it plays out.

Except they do. Good junior players will want to play real hockey so they have a chance to go pro. Not just play in some glorified beer league that will fold because nobody will watch or pay for it.
- Feds91Stammer

Ok, we’ll keep track.

And... hot off the press per Ansan Khan at Mlive:

Red Wings sign Czech League’s leading goal-scorer. Kid is 22. Here is the article:

"The Detroit Red Wings have signed Jakub Rychlovský, an undrafted left wing from Czechia, to a two-year entry-level contract.

They’re hoping he’s a late-bloomer after experiencing a breakout season at age 22 with Bili Tygri Liberec of the Czech League, collecting 26 goals, a league-high, and 20 assists in 51 games. He had five goals and two assists in nine playoff games.

The 5-10, 181-pound Rychlovský, 22, likely will start next season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Hoping this kid isn't another Damian Brunner... (from the Swiss league) as that was an epic fail of an experiment.