Can’t. Unless he pulls a Matthews and goes to Europe, he’ll be playing in the OHL (Steelheads own his rights but they’re tradeable), NCAA (U of Michigan makes sense) or USHL
He'll go to London if they can land his rights. Otherwise, he'll spend two years in Plymouth. London was always the preferred destination.He plays two years in this program.
No idea, but it might be the only way Sauga can recoup value from their selection. I'm not sure they can re-use the comp pick, as the pick they used was a comp pick for Nihznikov.What are the odds his OHL rights gets traded to the London Knights?
He'll go to London if they can land his rights. Otherwise, he'll spend two years in Plymouth. London was always the preferred destination.
He can't play in Europe, or at least its unlikely. Look at the rules the Swiss put on Matthews before he could play (had to graduate high-school and couldn't play a game until he was 18, causing him to miss the first 3 weeks of the season).
He wanted to play for London, and London has done very well with similar players (Kane and Marner). I understand your reasoning, but this is a statement more based on rumors around the GTA of his preference. Its not about draft preference, and more about what he sees as the better development opportunity. While stacked with talent, their have been knocks on the coaching within the USNTDP for a few years now, although having Cole leave saved them from losing kids this offseason.I don't think he's gonna want to be drafted out of the CHL. He very well could go straight to the NHL, but he should give himself the AHL option for half a season or full season. Playing for London and scoring 800 points won't make a difference towards his draft position as opposed to the NTDP program in the USHL.
No, I think he'll go to London if they get his rights next year, but that's a big if. Kids occasionally leave between u-17 and u-18, Max Jones was viewed as a top 10 pick when he switched, so it is not only the kids who are getting benched like Blade Jenkins.Wouldn't it be likely he just sticks with the program on the U18 team? or are you guys talking about his post draft year?
He wanted to play for London, and London has done very well with similar players (Kane and Marner). I understand your reasoning, but this is a statement more based on rumors around the GTA of his preference. Its not about draft preference, and more about what he sees as the better development opportunity. While stacked with talent, their have been knocks on the coaching within the USNTDP for a few years now, although having Cole leave saved them from losing kids this offseason.
The thing with Hughes, unlike the kids from New England or Minnesota, he didn't grow up loyal to college hockey and that being a dream. He played most of his life in the GTA while his dad worked for the Leafs. Kids who aren't from college hockey areas tend to choose alternative routes, such as Kane, Matthews and Seth Jones. Prior to that you had kids like Bobby Ryan choosing OHL over the Program.
I'd be surprised to see the Europe route. His dad now works for CAA and I don't expect him to encourage an unconventional route, I'd expect college hockey or London even if stay the full 2 years, if not in the NHL. Matthews was an anomaly, I don't expect it to be the norm. No NHL team is going to willingly send an NA player to Europe, it will be on of the classic routes.FWIW, I don't expect him to even commit to a college program, I don't think thats an option, but despite what you are saying, and I don't doubt you've heard that, I would guess he stays in the NTDP program for two years, and then goes straight to the NHL. If the NHL, AHL. I also wouldn't rule out that he does what Matthews did, and sign in Europe for a year.
I'd be surprised to see the Europe route. His dad now works for CAA and I don't expect him to encourage an unconventional route, I'd expect college hockey or London even if stay the full 2 years, if not in the NHL. Matthews was an anomaly, I don't expect it to be the norm. No NHL team is going to willingly send an NA player to Europe, it will be on of the classic routes.
I also think if he's trying to make the jump straight to the NHL, London is a better option at 17 than the program.
And if he accelerates his schooling he could play with his brother at Michigan, because as good as Quinn is he'll need another year in college to develop strength, especially cause of his smaller size for a D-man, before jumping to the NHLThe best option is to accelerate his schooling and play NCAA next year as a 17 year old true U18 player like Werenski and Hanifin. Second best is to stay with NTDP and get experience playing against NCAA structure defenses and older/stronger players. Third best option is to go to OHL. He needs to increase some size, strength and figure out how to play against men and the first two options provide that next year.
I also wouldn't rule out that he does what Matthews did, and sign in Europe for a year.