Why aren't some of the players that were drafted this year playing next season?

Question

I've noticed that a lot of the guys who were drafted, even the ones in the first round, aren't actually going to be playing for their respective teams next season. Some of them will still be playing for their junior hockey league teams, and some will go on to play in college. For instance, Philip Samuelsson was drafted to the Penguins but he's going to play for Boston College come next winter. Can somebody please explain this to me?

P.S: This one goes out to all the Leaf fans out there: What's up with the gigantic heart on your team's official website? Is that supposed to go with the "Spirit Is Everything" banner on the right?

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/index.html

Answer 1

HI



Hockey more then any other sport will draft on potential. Look at Football, the guys they draft are 4 years older and still only most first rounders will be a starter by rookie season end.



Human males meet physical and mental peak between 25-35 years of age. with the younger the age being more physical then mental and older being more mental then physical. Hockey players are drafted at age 18 and 19 for the most part. As you can see that is about 7 years till they start the peaking curve. Football players are entering that cycle at draft age, league minimum being 3 years after graduation high school, but most during junior or senior year, some fifth year senior in order to gain extra development time. Baseball I believe is closest to same thing were they draft on more raw potential. The NBA also now has a age standard after so many high school bust and immature behaviors.



On a side note you also see very few European players play for several years due to the difference in systems when younger. N Americans players are pushed a lot harder from a younger age and are also taught in the NHL/N. American style on usually N. American size rinks. Euros are not pushed as hard, it is still a game over there, they play on Olympic size ice and learn more finesse. This leads to where you see a learning curve as they get used to the game over here.



Thank You

Answer 2

The only player in the draft this year that is actually NHL ready in my mind is Victor Hedman. I believe he will play no doubt.



I also think John Tavares will play, but you cannot say that JT is nearly big enough or fast enough to compete on the NHL Level because he really isn't.



That's what I hate about this whole draft lottery, The only teams that get a shot at 1st overall are the 5 worst in the league, and chances are, the first couple overall pick, ready or not, are going to be pushed into the NHL. Teams expect immediate impact, and not only that, but the most struggling teams are usually the ones who are struggling financially as well, if you look at the Islanders, Lightning, Predators and Coyotes for example. So sometimes it will just be to make money.The name John Tavares will sell tickets, doesn't matter if he's turned into a pancake on the ice or not.



I will always use what the bruins did with Brad Marchand as an example, they could have threw the guy into the NHL, but you still see him in the AHL, and not only that, the guy is huge now, he's gotten to the point where he's much bigger and much smarter, and when he finally comes into the NHL I think he will be an impact player.

Answer 3

Anthony Randolph: A lot of teams actually were silently trying to pursue him last year. He averaged decent numbers in limited playing time. The very first thing I noticed about the kid---aside from his unique frame---was his high emotional attitude. He got so emotional after each dunk and always ahd that fierce look on his face. He wasnt afraid even to be a rookie it seemed, and that was what guys like Ike Diogu and Patrick O'braynt were missing. Randolph is gonna be the next Bosh. Another guy I am looking forward to watch next year that isnt on the Warriors, is Aaron Brooks. No T-mac or Yao. He played pretty good in the playoff stretch. I want to see if he can somehow lead this ballclub.

Answer 4

You don't want to rush your guys into an environment they aren't ready for. Every year in the NHL draft, about only a couple players are ready to play in the NHL. The only two ready this year are Hedman and Tavares, and rightfully so.



Some go to College for plenty of reasons. One, if you're a late round draft pick, say 5th-6th... you can't be feeling too high on yourself to make a living in the NHL at that moment. So people want to go get an education, where they can improve on their hockey play, at the same time.



A lot of guys need to continue to be developed and improve on their game before you try putting them on an AHL/NHL roster. Either that be skating, shooting, defensive game, etc.



There are reasons why people become late 1sts/2nd rounders... is that it's going to take time to develop them into an NHL hockey player. There aren't even a lot of players that play in the AHL the following year they get drafted. You take baby steps, can't rush these guys. Be patient with them, and they can turn out to be great.



Example : Scuderi...5th round draft pick for the Penguins. Went to Boston College for 4 years, then into the AHL, then eventually in the NHL with the Pens. Do I need to say how well that turned out for us?

Answer 5

You can't really expect a guy to just jump onto the ice in the NHL and be productive, I mean sure every once in a while, a guy like Sidney Crosby or Mario Lemieux comes along and is NHL ready, but for the most part, those guys who get drafted need a little seasoning still.

Answer 6

well sometimes its a cap issue...and wen u come outta junior ur not that big theres exceptions....for guys like ovechkin or stall or crosby malkin some to mind to...most of the time when guys r drafted l8tr and l8tr they need to be developed...u can wikipedia the draft year to...the guys that r in red means they more then likely wont play now or ever the teams just draft guys...

Answer 7

I don't know about the others but I don't blame the college guys for wanting to finish their education. If the whole NHL thing doesn't work out they can have a career to fall back on. That's why T.J. Hensick of the Avs finished his degree at University of Michigan

Answer 8

Cause they arent



Good enough yet

Big enough yet

Fast Enough



Bottom line not ready to play



A fair number of players are easy to plug into the lineup.

Some players are drafted by bad teams, what up islanders, and they have nothing to lose by developing your guy in the NHL. But some teams are stacked and dont have time or space to develop a rookie in the middle of their playoff run.

Answer 9

because there nor mentally physical or emotionally ready to play yet. They have to get bigger faster and stronger to play with the big boys. One of my favorite players from the OHL was drafted for the Thrashers and he wont play for 2 years. He still needs more experience.

Answer 10

Thats because Schenn and Glennie need to stick around for the Mem Cup.

Answer 11

Can't really say much more than the others have said. As far as the giant heart on the homepage, think it means Leaf fans bleed blue and white.