October 25, 2007

As a fan of a horribly struggling team, the mere idea of landing a top prospect has me giddy.

As a critic of the NHL, I blame Tavares being denied eligibility for the draft as the root of this situation.

As an objective observer, the rest of the league is not going to like this one bit.

posted by garfield at 12:52 PM CDT on October 25

It's a fine move for JFJ, since MLSE has no shortage of cash and the Marlies are struggling at the gate. But fabulon is right: there's no way he's going to end up as a Leaf, unless they draft first in '09. Which, given recent trends, is probably not altogether unrealistic.

And heck, reading the article, it's probably all moot anyway:

... the AHL bylaw for player eligibility matches the NHL's. Only players who turn 18 by Sept. 15 are allowed to play in the AHL that season, which means Tavares would not be eligible to play until the 2009-10 season, the same year he becomes eligible for the NHL draft.

An exemption could be granted by the AHL but league president Dave Andrews said that is unlikely.

"That would require an amendment of the bylaw in question, which requires a vote of our board [of governors]," Andrews said. "In my experience, the likelihood of the other 28 teams in the AHL voting in favour of allowing the other team a competitive advantage is not great."

So the Marlies would need a majority of the other teams voting "Yes, we want to play against John Tavares." Good luck with that.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 1:02 PM CDT on October 25

Oh come on, the Leafs wouldn't trade a top prospect for a middle-of-the-road goaltender.

They'd trade him for an over-the-hill power forward.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 1:35 PM CDT on October 25

I blame Tavares being denied eligibility for the draft as the root of this situation.

Why is he being denied eligibility for the draft?

posted by 86 at 2:37 PM CDT on October 25

I could see his handlers liking the idea for a couple reasons. First, his agent is partially responsible for seeking out alternatives after the draft next year was ruled out. Tavares is a local kid, so I'd guess he might be a Leafs fan. Making pro money at that age while assured time to develop is probably not so bad.

He might get razzed a bit more than other non-phenoms. And he might receive some unwanted attention, but he is a pro athlete in training.

posted by garfield at 3:51 PM CDT on October 25

I think DJE hits it on the head. Not only would a perfect storm of other contingencies have to come together for this kid to circumvent the draft, a majority of the AHL owners would have to allow it. While the prospect of seeing the kid play would certainly lure fans out in droves, I just don't think other AHL owners would be willing to be Tavares' showcase for the next two years. The gain is too short term to outweigh the costs, IMO.

posted by tahoemoj at 4:00 PM CDT on October 25

As arbitrary as the age restrictions seem to be, this is a dreadful move by the Leafs. If it succeeds, it ruins much of the competitive balance built into the current draft system. What would keep other (rich) teams from signing all of the junior talent to similar deals? The draft would soon be stripped of it's top-tier talent before the early-picking teams had a chance to select. Sure, the Rangers / Red Wings / Maple Leafs would be stocked ten-deep with prospects, but the league would suffer as a result.

A better move by Leaf management would have been to argue publicly in favor of an adjustment to the age restrictions on a one-time basis considering this player's considerable talents. Am I wrong?

(In case it's not quite evident, I'm still not sure I understand all of this clearly, so that question is one I pose honestly).

posted by 86 at 4:28 PM CDT on October 25

A better move by Leaf management would have been to argue publicly in favor of an adjustment to the age restrictions on a one-time basis considering this player's considerable talents. Am I wrong?

Actually, Tavares and his posse were pushing for him to be declared eligible for the 2008 NHL entry draft (I linked above to a piece about it).

Enough about his age eligibility, though: I think we can conclusively state that (a) the NHL won't let him be drafted next year, and (b) the AHL won't let him play next year, both because he's too young. So he's back to junior hockey next year.

But what happens the year after that? Could an AHL team, like the Marlies, offer him a boatload of cash and say "don't sign with the team that drafts you, skate with us for a couple years until you're free-agent eligible, then sign with the Leafs"?

posted by DrJohnEvans at 6:14 PM CDT on October 25

Well, this is the deranged rantings of a sad, sad man. I can't see this coming to bear.

But incidentally enough, remember there was another player who was never drafted in the NHL. He was 17 - young, gifted and competitive - and didn't want to wait until 18 to see his dreams fulfilled, so he struck out on his own. A free agent, he signed with the Indianapolis Racers in the WHA (which had no age restrictions). Six games later, after 3 goals and 3 assists, he was sold to the Edmonton Oilers. He finished third in the league in scoring and won the rookie of the year. One year later the Oilers joined the NHL. And that then 18 year old boy was Wayne Gretzky.

Tune in next week for more Storytime Hockey... Until then, goodnight.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 8:33 PM CDT on October 25

This guy seems to have a plan that will save the Leafs.

posted by NoMich at 7:53 AM CDT on October 27