C Auston Matthews - USNTDP, USHL (2016 Draft)

[Bps21*]

Too scurred to go to the NCAA now that Eichel moved the bar on him.

...seriously though good for any one of these kids who tries a challenge beyond just playing in the CHL amongst peers they are already deemed as being better than.

 

[timmeh]

I'm thinking Frölunda needs a playmaking center. Crossing my fingers

 

[JJTT]

Other than Cox, has anyone said anything about him considering Sweden/Finland?

 

[Flukeshot]

I like that most people are concerned with what happens the year after he is drafted. He will be fine anywhere he plays next year. But setting himself up for the ability to play in the AHL is interesting.

What if he does get sent down though. Is he going to be happy in the A or want to go back to Europe. Can he still be sent to Jr If his nhl team doesn't want him in the A?

 

[Holden Caulfield]

The distinction is that he's not a European player. He's an NA player who will be drafted out of Europe.

Therefore he will be considered a European player. It's always about where they were drafted out of.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I like that most people are concerned with what happens the year after he is drafted. He will be fine anywhere he plays next year. But setting himself up for the ability to play in the AHL is interesting.

What if he does get sent down though. Is he going to be happy in the A or want to go back to Europe. Can he still be sent to Jr If his nhl team doesn't want him in the A?

If he plays in a men's league in Europe before he is drafted, there is no way he plays junior next year. That would be a huge step backwards in development

 

[arsmaster*]

Still nothing other than Cox's tweet? I don't take anything out of that donkey's mouth seriously. It's Friday, we heard by Thursday all week.

 

[Woodhouse]

Still nothing other than Cox's tweet? I don't take anything out of that donkey's mouth seriously. It's Friday, we heard by Thursday all week.

This is the latest:

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

The distinction is that he's not a European player. He's an NA player who will be drafted out of Europe.

Thus he's deemed to be an European player.

A Japanese player playing in Europe would also be considered an European/non-NA.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

But you wrote "NA players". NA players can play in the AHL before they turn 20 if they are not drafted out of the CHL.

I agree I should have been clearer, but I did write that the (1) rule did not apply to European who did not play in the CHL or to NCAA players.

But I definitely should have written "CHL players".

The AHL by-laws allow 18-year-old to play.

 

[dwanmaster*]

I like that most people are concerned with what happens the year after he is drafted. He will be fine anywhere he plays next year. But setting himself up for the ability to play in the AHL is interesting.

What if he does get sent down though. Is he going to be happy in the A or want to go back to Europe. Can he still be sent to Jr If his nhl team doesn't want him in the A?

It won't be necessary. Matthews could play in the NHL full time next year. In 2016-17 there is no possible way he plays a game in the minor leagues.

 

[Paxon]

I like that most people are concerned with what happens the year after he is drafted. He will be fine anywhere he plays next year. But setting himself up for the ability to play in the AHL is interesting.

What if he does get sent down though. Is he going to be happy in the A or want to go back to Europe. Can he still be sent to Jr If his nhl team doesn't want him in the A?

If he gets drafted out of a Euro league he can play anywhere the following season except the NCAA, because having played pro hockey would make him ineligible according to their amateur rules. He could play in any Euro league, the AHL, or even the CHL. Of course, he's going to be in the NHL unless his development goes off track, because he's that kind of prospect. So to answer your question, yes he could go to the CHL. For the sake of theoretical fun, best guess, if he didn't make his NHL team he'd be in the AHL. He'll sign an entry level contract right after he gets drafted and that's where his team will want him if not in the big show.

Guys can always go to the CHL regardless of where they're drafted from, with the caveat of if they're under contract to, say, the KHL, they'd need to be released from that contract to do so. Guys can always play in the AHL so long as they aren't drafted out of the CHL, with the same caveat about being under contract. Jack Eichel could play in the CHL next year, for example. Guys can always play in the NCAA so long as they haven't played in a non-amateur league. The CHL counts as a non-amateur league according to the NCAA -- terrible application of the rule I know, but that's the NCAA for you.

 

[snizzbone*]

It won't be necessary. Matthews could play in the NHL full time next year. In 2016-17 there is no possible way he plays a game in the minor leagues.

There's definitely a chance he plays in the AHL in his rookie season.. small chance but he could. What if a good team who just barely missed the post season wins the lottery and drafts him? They could take their time with him and keep him in the AHL for a bit.

 

[dwanmaster*]

There's definitely a chance he plays in the AHL in his rookie season.. small chance but he could. What if a good team who just barely missed the post season wins the lottery and drafts him? They could take their time with him and keep him in the AHL for a bit.

Because Matthews is Eichel level if not better

 

[Paxon]

There's definitely a chance he plays in the AHL in his rookie season.. small chance but he could. What if a good team who just barely missed the post season wins the lottery and drafts him? They could take their time with him and keep him in the AHL for a bit.

There's a chance but mostly because who knows for certain how his development goes next year. I'm guessing by this time next year we won't be talking like there's a chance even if the Blackhawks etc draft him, but I'm with you at this point, you never know. In the cap age I think it's pretty easy to find a place for a player of that caliber on your roster even if he has a whole lot to work on, so long as he has a good build and can skate.

Not directed at you, but there's definitely no chance he'd be in the CHL. I'd say with almost all top prospects, teams would rather be able to put in the AHL than the CHL in their post-draft years, so long as they are physically sound, which Mathews will be. They just aren't allowed to because players either can't (CHL), would rather stay in college than ride the bus, or have a contract to play out at home.

Because Matthews is Eichel level if not better

At this stage, but that doesn't mean the development tracks the same. It's jumping the gun to say he's going to be at least as good as Eichel come this time next year. But you don't need to be that level to make the NHL as an 18 year old anyhow. Sam Bennett would've if not for his shoulder issue.

 

[Cor]

Have to think the SHL is the best place for him to go too.

 

[swissexpert]

Have to think the SHL is the best place for him to go too.

If he wants to drink alcohol, Switzerland is the right choic. Come on Auston, you can't refuse a cold beer after fridays training!

 

[Snowsii]

Have to think the SHL is the best place for him to go too.

Nah, Liiga would be better for him And then we would have 2(maybe even 3) Top-5 players playing here. Which would be nice.

 

[dsg89]

Good read:

http://thehockeywriters.com/auston-matthews-breaking-new-ground/

 

[Made Dan]

There is during the pre-season and in the Champions League but Zürich doesnt play any Extraliga clubs during the Group Stage so you will have to hope they get matched up with one during the Knock-out phase (assuming they advance.)

I dont know who ZSC other pre-season opponents are yet if you will be in the Czech Republic during that time. Not to insult you, but pre-season is August/early September incase you didnt know.

Thanks I'll have to view the schedule when it's announced. Arriving late August so that's perfect actually.

 

[FLYLine27*]

Why the hell would he go to Europe as a 17 year old?

When was the last time a top American/Canadian prospect went to Europe for their draft year??

 

[TJL48]

Why the hell not? Make more money. Have fun and experience Europe for a year. Better competition. If I was in his position I would definitely do it.

 

[Jussi]

Why the hell would he go to Europe as a 17 year old?

When was the last time a top American/Canadian prospect went to Europe for their draft year??

To get experience playing against grown up professional players and to make more money than than he'd make in NA.

 

[Goose of Reason]

Why the hell would he go to Europe as a 17 year old?

When was the last time a top American/Canadian prospect went to Europe for their draft year??

IIRC he has a late birthday so he's already graduated from high school. Would you rather play junior or make 500k in Europe at that stage?

 

[usascout1]

He has not graduated high school yet. He is only finishing his junior year - he did not want to accelerate like a lot of kids to get to the NCAA. No idea why he wouldn't have accelerated just to have the high school piece of things out of the way.