Prospect Info: 2014-2015-2016 Kings Prospects in the CHL/College

[King'sPawn]

North Dakota wins 5-2 and Wisconsin's season ended. Is there any kind of time limit when Kings can sign Michael Mersch or can they sign him immediately and send to Manchester?

Kings can sign him at any time. However, they only retain his rights until mid-June(?). If he's not signed by then, he becomes a free agent.

 

[Whiskeypete]

he should be signed and assigned within the week. DL and DS were in Madison during the Olympic break to take in a game and talk with him. they were trying to get him to leave early (before U of W were done playing).

last night he didn't play or skate well. of all the games I've watched of his this was the worst game i've seen. his skating looked very labored and he was being knocked off the puck fairly easily. his skating has been his weak spot all along, but last night something didn't look right. not sure the issue, but it wasn't what i've seen in the past from him

he's never going to be a speedy guy, but his N-S and lateral skating last night was slow to very slow. it wouldn't surprise me if he is nicked or dinged in some way that is a factor. he was a non-factor the entire game due to this.

LaDue on the other hand played a very nice and steady game. the kid is playing top line minutes as a freshman, which is always a great sign. he is seeing PP-PK time as well, so he rounding into one of UND's top D.

he had a nice little play in the UND zone when he was being forechecked by two Badgers. he got pinched on the boards, stopped, deked and side stepped the first guy then side stepped the second forechecker. he then skated and cleared the Sioux zone. he showed some nice skill, skating, vision and composure.

 

[tigermask48]

Kings can sign him at any time. However, they only retain his rights until mid-June(?). If he's not signed by then, he becomes a free agent.

It's June 30th. He's becomes a free agent July 1st so the kings hold his rights until midnight June 30th. The deadline for CHL/Europe unsigned prospects that are able to re-enter the draft is mid-June since the paperwork for re-entering the draft has to be completed by the Draft (June 27th this year.) Mersch is too old to re-enter so he simply becomes a UFA on July 1st.

 

[King'sPawn]

It's June 30th. He's becomes a free agent July 1st so the kings hold his rights until midnight June 30th. The deadline for CHL/Europe unsigned prospects that are able to re-enter the draft is mid-June since the paperwork for re-entering the draft has to be completed by the Draft (June 27th this year.) Mersch is too old to re-enter so he simply becomes a UFA on July 1st.

Thank you for clarifying. I always get dates mixed up (one of many reasons why history was my worst subject in school )

 

[palffytofrovlov]

St Cloud plays tonight at 6 pm...regarding Mersch I also saw him very slow but the whole Wisconsin team didnt play well... on the other hand LaDue was playing well, has good size on him, good skater, the announcers were saying positive things about him, which is always a good thing to hear.

 

[kingsboy11]

Nic Dowd scores the GW goal in OT over Notre Dame!!!! ST. Cloud State wins 4-3 and will face Minnesota to see who will go the Frozen Four.

 

[HYORI 1963]

Brodzinski had a nice wrister as well.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Kings can sign him at any time. However, they only retain his rights until mid-June(?). If he's not signed by then, he becomes a free agent.

It's June 30th. He's becomes a free agent July 1st so the kings hold his rights until midnight June 30th. The deadline for CHL/Europe unsigned prospects that are able to re-enter the draft is mid-June since the paperwork for re-entering the draft has to be completed by the Draft (June 27th this year.) Mersch is too old to re-enter so he simply becomes a UFA on July 1st.

Incorrect. For players with contracts the contract expires on June 30th.

Mersch is a drafted protected player out of college. The Kings holds Mersch's rights until August 15th following his senior year. That's when he will become a UFA. Since this is his senior year the Kings will hold his rights until August 15th, 2014.

For players drafted out of CHL you hold their rights for two seasons. So for example a player like Zykov who the Kings drafted out of CHL in 2013 they will hold his rights until 2015. However the deadline for players out of CHL is June 1. So the Kings will hold Zykov's rights until June 1, 2015. If unsigned by that point he will re-enter the draft.

 

[Herby]

he should be signed and assigned within the week. DL and DS were in Madison during the Olympic break to take in a game and talk with him. they were trying to get him to leave early (before U of W were done playing).

Are we sure of this?

For one I think it's awful that the Kings would attempt to get a player to bolt his team mid-season, I've never heard of teams doing this during the season, a few players like Okposo, Czarnik and Coyle have quit or been kicked off of their college teams and then signed pro contracts, but never heard a team trying to sign a senior player from his squad mid season. And also if Mersch had contact with the Kings mid-season about a contract I believe it's an NCAA violation.

 

[KingLB]

Are we sure of this?

For one I think it's awful that the Kings would attempt to get a player to bolt his team mid-season, I've never heard of teams doing this during the season, a few players like Okposo, Czarnik and Coyle have quit or been kicked off of their college teams and then signed pro contracts, but never heard a team trying to sign a senior player from his squad mid season. And also if Mersch had contact with the Kings mid-season about a contract I believe it's an NCAA violation.

This, or something they kinda threw out in jest in such a way just to make sure he was still committed to signing with the Kings. Or a way the Kings can show their commitment, knowing full well he would stay till the end of the season.

 

[tigermask48]

Incorrect. For players with contracts the contract expires on June 30th.

Mersch is a drafted protected player out of college. The Kings holds Mersch's rights until August 15th following his senior year. That's when he will become a UFA. Since this is his senior year the Kings will hold his rights until August 15th, 2014.

For players drafted out of CHL you hold their rights for two seasons. So for example a player like Zykov who the Kings drafted out of CHL in 2013 they will hold his rights until 2015. However the deadline for players out of CHL is June 1. So the Kings will hold Zykov's rights until June 1, 2015. If unsigned by that point he will re-enter the draft.

Thanks for the corrections. Is the August rule new? Never heard that August 15th date before.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Thanks for the corrections. Is the August rule new? Never heard that August 15th date before.

Been around since at least the 2005 CBA (I know nothing about the CBA before that).

College seniors have always been like that. It's different from CHL and European players.

Easiest example I can think of where it mattered would be Scott Parse. Drafted by LA in the 6th round of 2004. Played out his college at Nebraska with his senior year in 2006-07 and rather than sign with LA near the end of the season signed with Grand Rapids (Detroit's farm team). Played out that season there. But his rights were held by Los Angeles until August 15th, 2007. He ended up signing with Los Angeles while rights were still protected on July 11th, 2007.

 

[HYORI 1963]

Been around since at least the 2005 CBA (I know nothing about the CBA before that).

College seniors have always been like that. It's different from CHL and European players.

Easiest example I can think of where it mattered would be Scott Parse. Drafted by LA in the 6th round of 2004. Played out his college at Nebraska with his senior year in 2006-07 and rather than sign with LA near the end of the season signed with Grand Rapids (Detroit's farm team). Played out that season there. But his rights were held by Los Angeles until August 15th, 2007. He ended up signing with Los Angeles while rights were still protected on July 11th, 2007.

I actually remember that, and thinking how odd it was that Parse was a king's property, but yet he was signing on with another team's farm team.

 

[Whiskeypete]

Are we sure of this?

For one I think it's awful that the Kings would attempt to get a player to bolt his team mid-season, I've never heard of teams doing this during the season, a few players like Okposo, Czarnik and Coyle have quit or been kicked off of their college teams and then signed pro contracts, but never heard a team trying to sign a senior player from his squad mid season. And also if Mersch had contact with the Kings mid-season about a contract I believe it's an NCAA violation.

i was surprised when the fellow i coach with told me this. it doesn't sound like Dean and frankly goes against what he preaches. i asked the guy twice to be sure and he said they were looking for him to sign early.

he has known Mike, his family and been around him for years due to the program. i trust him, so to me its a valid contact. he was talking to Mike after one of the Badgers games during the Olympic break.

perhaps this was a test by Dean to see/check his commitment. who knows. i think Mersch will likely be in MAN by week's end. i forgot to ask the guy today at practice if he has heard anything.

 

[etherialone]

I can add a little something on teams talking with their NCAA prospects about leaving their schools early and I guess you can call it a loophole or something that isn't enforced but it is very common for NHL teams (depending on their interest) to use various intermediaries to let a prospect know that they are still very interested in them and have a place for them when they are ready to join their teams.

Sometimes it is the media, sometimes it is their NCAA coaching staff or other players or scouts etc but they let them know. Now that isn't the same as offering to sign a pro contract with the kid during the season which would be a big no no but it does sort of say the same thing without saying it. I have seen it happen in the past and am certain it still happens today.

That said I haven't any idea if it did in this situation but if WP says it did then I believe it is true though which back channels were used could be debated.

 

[saintsnsoldiers]

Watching the St. Cloud and Minney game, I know we have Mic Dowd are there any other Kings prospects playing in this game or in the final 4

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Running out the door but...

St. Cloud - Nic Dowd, Kevin Gravel, Jonny Brodzinski.

 

[King'sPawn]

Kings prospects in St. Cloud - Jonny Brodzinski, Kevin Gravel, Nic Dowd

Other Kings prospects in Frozen Four - Paul LaDue (North Dakota)

 

[saintsnsoldiers]

awesome thanks

 

[saintsnsoldiers]

Watched LaDue yesterday looked pretty good, looking forward to watching Gravel play

 

[The Exiled One]

Any of you experts expect the Kings to burn a year on Dowd or Gravel? I'm just wondering what you think the odds are that either suits up in the next couple weeks. I would think Dowd has a bit more leverage than Gravel, but what do I know?

I think both would prefer to sign with the Kings, but neither should have a problem getting a two-way for next season if they decide to hold out. I don't think the Kings want to lose them, so I'm hoping one or both will suit up this year, but I understand the risks of experimenting with the roster during a playoff push. Thoughts?

As for Brodzinski, I think he'll get an offer as well. However, I don't expect he'll sign this spring. As for the off-season, keep an eye on what his brother does. That'll tell you exactly what Jonny's intentions are.

 

[Whiskeypete]

Any of you experts expect the Kings to burn a year on Dowd or Gravel? I'm just wondering what you think the odds are that either suits up in the next couple weeks. I would think Dowd has a bit more leverage than Gravel, but what do I know?

I think both would prefer to sign with the Kings, but neither should have a problem getting a two-way for next season if they decide to hold out. I don't think the Kings want to lose them, so I'm hoping one or both will suit up this year, but I understand the risks of experimenting with the roster during a playoff push. Thoughts?

As for Brodzinski, I think he'll get an offer as well. However, I don't expect he'll sign this spring. As for the off-season, keep an eye on what his brother does. That'll tell you exactly what Jonny's intentions are.

i think Gravel would be the only one. his game is the closest to being NHL ready and an area of possible depth concern down the line.

Dowd would need work and there is depth already ahead of him at C.

Gravel also is at least behind McNabb who LA traded for with BUF (sent Fasching their way). McNabb would likely get the call before Gravel.

honestly though i don't see any of this happening. if anything they be signed and sent to MAN for the playoff push on the farm. the only likely call up would be with the Black Aces.

LA isn't in a position where they need to rush any of these kids. the formula now is for them to mature on the farm for 2-3 years and then start to get a taste. Gravel many here feel will only need a year in MAN to mature and be ready for LA.

J Brodzinski its difficult to say what will happen with him. i don't know if he is ready to move along, or if Lombardi will want him to stay. Dowd and Gravel stayed for their senior seasons to mature further, but also so they could learn and become leaders on a strong team. this is something that Lombardi likes to see as part of player development. with the departure of Dowd and Gravel there will be a loss of leadership, which he can help fill.

time will tell, but by week's end i expect Dowd, Gravel and Mersch signed and assigned now that SCSU and U of W are done for the year.

 

[The Exiled One]

i think Gravel would be the only one. his game is the closest to being NHL ready and an area of possible depth concern down the line.

Dowd would need work and there is depth already ahead of him at C.

Gravel also is at least behind McNabb who LA traded for with BUF (sent Fasching their way). McNabb would likely get the call before Gravel.

honestly though i don't see any of this happening. if anything they be signed and sent to MAN for the playoff push on the farm. the only likely call up would be with the Black Aces.

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that they are NHL ready... far from it. I just meant that they might get a game or two in order to burn a year off of their ELC. Obviously, it isn't in the interest of the Kings to do that, but sometimes NHL teams will do it anyway as an incentive to get them to sign. Otherwise, Dowd and Gravel could just as easily wait until June and sign with any other NHL team they like.

Just wondering from any of you who look closely at the business side of it, how likely is this to happen? It happened to two of our graduates from last season (LeBlanc and Hanowski), so it certainly isn't out of the realm of possibility.

Like you had mentioned regarding McNabb, since the Kings have depth at center, maybe they're willing to risk losing Dowd? It's true he wouldn't get a better offer by going to free agency, but he might take the chance in order to end up somewhere more appealing for his situation... like somewhere thinner at center or closer to his hometown. Just a thought.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that they are NHL ready... far from it. I just meant that they might get a game or two in order to burn a year off of their ELC. Obviously, it isn't in the interest of the Kings to do that, but sometimes NHL teams will do it anyway as an incentive to get them to sign. Otherwise, Dowd and Gravel could just as easily wait until June and sign with any other NHL team they like.

Just wondering from any of you who look closely at the business side of it, how likely is this to happen? It happened to two of our graduates from last season (LeBlanc and Hanowski), so it certainly isn't out of the realm of possibility.

Like you had mentioned regarding McNabb, since the Kings have depth at center, maybe they're willing to risk losing Dowd? It's true he wouldn't get a better offer by going to free agency, but he might take the chance in order to end up somewhere more appealing for his situation... like somewhere thinner at center or closer to his hometown. Just a thought.

Dowd and Gravel become UFA's on August 15th, 2014. They would have to wait until then.

 

[The Exiled One]

Dowd and Gravel become UFA's on August 15th, 2014. They would have to wait until then.

Yup, my mistake. Thanks.