2023 Draft and UFA Thread

[GGpX]

They shouldn't even be giving exceptional statuses to 14 years old IMO

Well, here's the thing with the WHL as opposed to the OHL/QMJHL.

The WHL draft takes the players when they're 14/15, and they play another season of Midget before going to the WHL. You'll have the occasional player, see Kaiden Guhle, who will play a handful of games as a 15 year old. Whereas the OHL/Q, they select players when they're 15/16 and they go right into the league next year if they make it.

What makes Gavin McKenna's situation interesting is, he's already the best player of his U18 age group teams. And he's only 14 years old. I'm not sure he should be playing a full season in the WHL, but the odd game here & there? Why not, let's see what he has.

 

[GrandWazoo]

Well, here's the thing with the WHL as opposed to the OHL/QMJHL.

The WHL draft takes the players when they're 14/15, and they play another season of Midget before going to the WHL. You'll have the occasional player, see Kaiden Guhle, who will play a handful of games as a 15 year old. Whereas the OHL/Q, they select players when they're 15/16 and they go right into the league next year if they make it.

What makes Gavin McKenna's situation interesting is, he's already the best player of his U18 age group teams. And he's only 14 years old. I'm not sure he should be playing a full season in the WHL, but the odd game here & there? Why not, let's see what he has.

I just don’t think it’s good for his personal development as a human to leave the family house at 14 to live in buses. Let him be a kid for another year, there is not just hockey in life.

 

[Krustchev]

I just don’t think it’s good for his personal development as a human to leave the family house at 14 to live in buses. Let him be a kid for another year, there is not just hockey in life.

I agree with you and it amazes me how many kids leave for sports academies at that age. It’s too young.

 

[worm]

Unrelated to this year's draft, but for those of you who can go watch some WHL games, watch this kid. He's fourteen (!) years old, turning 15 in December. He's probably not going to play much in the WHL this season, god knows their reasoning for the rule is fucking stupid. Give a player Exceptional Status, but you don't let him play more than 5 games. Like... shrug.

But starting in 2023-2024, keep an eye on him.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/gavin-mckenna-yukon-whl-1.6511885

cc @worm

So this year will be his 14 year old season?WHL has always had this rule btw. Underage players can play 5 (I actually thought it was 6) games.

 

[worm]

I just don’t think it’s good for his personal development as a human to leave the family house at 14 to live in buses. Let him be a kid for another year, there is not just hockey in life.

The living in busses part is probably happening either way.

 

[Stinky]

Yay! Circle jerks for everyone! Which schmelt is gonna havta drinking it?

 

[GrandWazoo]

The living in busses part is probably happening either way.

Don't know, younger leagues tends to groups there games around the weekend to not interfere with school as much, kids tends to still live with their parents. Plus there is a big different between busing with other 14-15 years old and busing with 18-20 years old.

 

[Stinky]

Jr hockey culture is fucking gross. I think the Hockey Canada stuff is just the tip of the iceberg.

 

[GGpX]

So this year will be his 14 year old season?WHL has always had this rule btw. Underage players can play 5 (I actually thought it was 6) games.

Sorta, yeah. He's turning 15 in December,.

 

[worm]

Don't know, younger leagues tends to groups there games around the weekend to not interfere with school as much, kids tends to still live with their parents. Plus there is a big different between busing with other 14-15 years old and busing with 18-20 years old.

Sure but living in the Yukon is going to mean a bunch of travel.

 

[worm]

And he is probably traveling with 17 and 18 year olds still. He might have people closer to his age in the whl than in the u18 league.



Not really questioning the impact of being removed from your parents though. That is the big difference.

 

[worm]

So I did some googling. He played in Kelowna last year. So he is already not playing at home.

BTW he had 4 assists in his one WHL game.

Gavin McKenna - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Gavin McKenna, 2007-12-20 Whitehorse, YT, CAN Canada. Most recently in the undefined with Medicine Hat Tigers. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[Krustchev]

So I did some googling. He played in Kelowna last year. So he is already not playing at home.

BTW he had 4 assists in his one WHL game.

Gavin McKenna - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Gavin McKenna, 2007-12-20 Whitehorse, YT, CAN Canada. Most recently in the undefined with Medicine Hat Tigers. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Lol, my son is listed on that site too with stats. No draft projection however (2027).

 

[hairnova]

NHL Draft Eduard Sale Connor Bedard | TSN

Regina Pats star Connor Bedard is the overwhelming favourite to go first overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, but a new face has rocketed into the No. 2 spot for TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button.

www.tsn.ca

Top 10:
1. Connor Bedard - C
2. Eduard Sale - LW
3. Matvei Michkov - RW
4. Adam Fantilli - C
5. Brandon Yager - C
6. Leo Carlsson - C
7. Colby Barlow - LW
8. Dalibor Dvorsky - C
9. Zach Benson - LE
10. Calum Ritchie - C/RW

 

[Habsy]

Button always has his 1 or 2 favorite outliers.

 

[wiseguy1]

I hope we draft a fast player, no more Slowkovskies or Slowniemies

 

[GEEMAN]

I hope we draft a fast player, no more Slowkovskies or Slowniemies

Should of drafted a slower player in Tkatchuk

 

[Habsy]

Two games and people are ready to skewer Slafkovsky. Must be Habs land.

 

[wiseguy1]

Should of drafted a slower player in Tkatchuk

He's slower than KK? mmmm

 

[GEEMAN]

He's slower than KK? mmmm

They both are molasses