There are more than two dozen prospects that will see their draft rights expire if not signed by tomorrow afternoon, but for some of them the decision is already made. The Vancouver Canucks for instance are expected to sign Karel Plasek according to Thomas Drance of The Athletic. Drance notes that it’s Plasek’s hockey IQ that the team believes in and wants him to join their AHL team in Abbotsford next season.
The 20-year-old forward had six goals and ten points in 44 games with Brno Kometa this season and is two years removed from going 175th overall in the 2019 draft.
- Not everyone is signing though, as Craig Morgan of AZ Hockey Now reports that Erik Walli Walterholm will not ink a deal with the Arizona Coyotes. Walli Walterholm was a seventh-round pick in 2017 and has experience at the SHL level, but played this season in the Swedish second tier. Though he scored just 14 points during the regular season, the 22-year-old forward turned things around in the playoffs, recording nine points in 15 games for Timra.
- Perhaps more significant is the news on teammate Filip Westerlund, the Coyotes’ second-round pick, 44th overall in 2017. Morgan reports that he is also not expected to sign, making him a free agent. The 22-year-old defenseman had 21 points in 52 games during the regular season and was once regarded as a top prospect, even ranked 15th among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting in 2017. Of the nine players selected by the Coyotes that year, only two—Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Mackenzie Entwistle—have played in the NHL, but neither for Arizona.
While some may not agree, I think it’s good to see some kids just saying “NO” to Tire-Fire teams that drafted them. It will probably never be an epidemic, but maybe those teams will start wising up. Yeah, right… This is almost like post-draft forfeiture of two picks.
You’ve got that Walli Walterholm jersey ready to go, don’t you? :D
@Gbear – AND, I had the click-baity ebay ad ready to go! I was hoping to get the extra loot to pay for the hot water heater labor charge! Imagine two desert dogs playing fetch, but passing on the ball and stick, only to snatch the train tickets out of town!
:)
@Mac – Get the Houston Aeros version of that jersey….it might be coming back in vogue in a year or two from now. :)
@Gbear – I might have to find a reputable outfit to print up my own. I like that logo! Maybe Mark & Marty could christen the new team on behalf of Mr. Hockey, who would certainly be looking down with pride!
What the ****, Moneypuck?
Chayka and his numerical rain dances didn’t find any gold in the pan, eh?