nuckster wrote:Could someone explain: If a player is playing Jr hockey like Cassels, is it normal for the drafting team (the Canucks) to be able to sign that player to a contract while they're playing for their junior team??
Myself, along with others, thought that Cassels was one of the best Canuck prospects at the 'young stars' tournament in Penticton this fall, and personally I found it odd that he was sent down to his OHL junior team without being given any playing time with the Canucks over the pre-season. So in my mind Cassels is an under-rated prospect who WILL be playing in the 'bigs' yet.
I'm not sure about the CBA and stuff, but I think the Canucks can sign Cassels anytime. He is Canuck property and I think we have like 2 years to sign him; if we can't sign him, he either goes back into the draft or becomes a free agent.
As far as him getting a chance to show his stuff at camp and him being involved in a trade? I think because of his draft position and the number of other prospects we had around, it was just a numbers game, so he was sent back to his junior club early. I'm sure he's raising some eyebrows with his play and I'm sure he will get a good look next year @ training camp. I'm not worried about him, he will get a chance to show what he can do against better competition. As far as a trade goes, u never know. He might get packaged in a deal, but I don't think his trade value is that high as he was just recently drafted in the 3rd round, so he is not really considered a top prospect just yet. It'll be interesting to see if he can keep up those numbers over the season and maybe become a dominate player in the OHL, then his stock might go up a bit. Keep in mind, there are always lots of guys who can light up the junior ranks, but can't make the jump to the NHL.