In August, many NCAA players will see their exclusive draft rights expire, allowing them unrestricted free agents to sign with any organization. The decision has already been made for one of those players, Skyler Brind’Amour.
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reports that Brind’Amour, fresh off a national championship with Quinnipiac, will not sign with the Edmonton Oilers. Jason Gregor of TSN adds that Brind’Amour informed the Oilers that there would be a better opportunity elsewhere as he tries to transition to professional hockey.
If he doesn’t change his mind and is still unsigned through August 15, Brind’Amour—son of Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour—will be an unrestricted free agent. As a sixth-round pick in 2017, the Oilers will not receive draft compensation.
They could, however, work out a trade with his preferred destination, though that club could simply wait until August if they have confidence in him signing at that point. The 23-year-old forward was a key part of the Bobcats’ first-ever NCAA title, and scored 32 points in 41 games this season.
A workhorse that seems to always be attacking the puck carrier, Brind’Amour’s potential at the NHL level likely tops out as a bottom-six energy player. Even that projection will be tested next year as he transitions, starting his professional career at the age of 24.
Not likely a NHLer anyways.
Whoa. That’s kind of sour grapey isn’t it? That’s exactly why he wants to go FA, he needs to find the organization most likely to use him.
And even if ends up being the next TJ Tynan, so what?
Is this your burner acct Skyler?
Guy will be 24 and is still considered a fringe player at best.
Wish him all the best, but stand by what I said, not likely an NHLer anyways.
Maybe be proves me wrong and becomes more than a tweener. This should provide some more fuel for him to achieve that.
Teams should own a college players’ rights for one year after their collegiate career ends.
So odd for this one group of players to have this option none of the other drafted players have…
Part of that’s an antitrust thing: what ALL the North American professional sports are scared to death of is someone challenging league drafts in United States courts on restraint-of-trade grounds. It isn’t the case, after all, that companies have a “draft” for college graduates generally; congratulations, you’ve been drafted by an electronics firm halfway across the country, and your choice is either to relocate and work at the job they assign you, or bust.
Wouldn’t care for that much, would you? So the various leagues throw sops at players to stave off the day when someone makes that challenge. In Canada, it’s different, and they can still treat major junior players like chattel.
Opportunity in…..CAROLINA?
Bingo!
You have to think that’s where he goes right.
Opportunity for the Wolves, anyway. I’m with wreckage: this guy’s been an okay college player, but nothing about him suggests he’s better than an AHLer.
He wouldn’t play for the Wolves though. Carolina doesn’t have an AHL affiliate for next season and the Wolves are going independent. He could be in Norfolk playing for the Admirals though
Right, right, I forgot. Thanks for the reminder!