How it helps with roster limit, weak competition for development and lesser talent overall? Potential desire to sign because of money? Thats all we have? Even with examples of Moynihan and McCarthy - that what makes Edwards better and EVERY NA prospect better?
Again, logical thinking - Orlov doesnt need to sign to stay under Devils rights, Orlov will not spend money and roster spot for development in harder competition.
And Orlov isnt in position, like any NCAA player, to sign with rivalries, who will thank you for spending the pick
First of all, why he should travel to play in AHL? Even than - Misyul is playing in AHL, McCarthy doesnt, at least for the Devils. This argument doesnt work
About guys, who are older professionals with polished game or very talented, isnt working too. He isnt talented? How you did understand it? Especially with his results in VHL and KHL games? Or you watched his game and made a conclusion? Older professional? So we can cancel every young player no matter how talented he is because he is younger only?
All of your arguments dont work in case of Edwards and Orlov. Because there are other REAL arguments for ANY prospect - talent(skill, iq), compete game for a role, results for a level of competition. If Edwards would have results of Casey in his first or even second year, at least it would be debatable. But he didnt. If he would have better expirience. But he is closer to NOT sign the deal and you CANT say he cant not to not sign, because he can. Because we literally have examples of Moynihan and McCarthy. And we have example of Misyul. And we have example of Zaitsev. So every... ABSOLUTELY EVERY word of your arguments about NCAA players and their desire to sign doesnt work. Players from Russia and players from NCAA can or can not sign with Devils. Both did and did not. At least Zaitsev will not play against Devils.
So without any conversation with Edwards will he sign or not... all we can do is look at evidence in front of us.
And all we have now is Orlov and Edwards, where Edwards is closer to be free agent, didnt really pan out for now, playing in weaker league, older, and his positional game isnt on the great level. Is he a good prospect? On my taste - he is. He is a better prospect than Orlov. No, he dont. For now, everything can change.