Yeah, I think the collective reaction from the board was "who?!"
I've learned to pretty much stop hoping that we pick certain guys in the later rounds. I wanted guys like Justin Jokinen, Rajala, and Grubauer over Henrique, Urbom, and Wedgewood .
so,.. any of our unsigned prospects signing and playing in albany next season?
guys like helgeson, rodwell, gedig?
mcphersons contract was try-out, right?
right thread/wrong thread?
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How so? He isn't leaving school this year, so we don't have any indication yet what his plans might be.
I also don't think he's likely to piss off the organisation that is giving him a chance. He already has red flags due to character issues which made him drop in his draft year, but the Devils still believe in him. Turning his back on that wouldn't endear him to other teams at all.
The fact that he would rather finish college when he has all the talent to make the NHL.
There is no guarantee he would make the big club, if he signed with us today chances are he would spend his first year in Albany. While we don't have superstars on D we go have a ton of depth he would have to fight through.
The fact that he would rather finish college when he has all the talent to make the NHL.
That's not "pulling a Schultz". Pulling a Schultz is refusing to sign with the team that drafted you and using a loophole in the CBA to have yourself declared a UFA. Merrill is not likely to do that. You had me worried there for a bit.
And I have no problem with it if Merrill decides to spend another year at Michigan. I don't believe he will stay to graduate though, he'll probably stay this year and then go pro the year after that.
The fact that he would rather finish college when he has all the talent to make the NHL.
Or he's following his coaches advice and completing his four years... especially since he was suspended for most of the most recent season. Besides, I get the feeling the Devils want to be more careful with Merrill's development. Finishing the four years will do him good.
We don't have anything to worry about, imho
Out of all the D prospects we have he is the most talented. At most he would have to spend two years in the AHL which I would prefer to two years of college hockey.
Or he's following his coaches advice and completing his four years... especially since he was suspended for most of the most recent season. Besides, I get the feeling the Devils want to be more careful with Merrill's development. Finishing the four years will do him good.
We don't have anything to worry about, imho
Let's face it, the kids has demonstrated some questionable judgement in his life thus far and I attribute much of that to a total lack of maturity. I think that after whatever happened this year that got him suspended (failure to attend classes,or whatever it was), he had a sit down and was told to grow up if he wanted to have a NHL career and be a rich man someday. I think he's just doing the right thing and making a commitment to school and showing that he can put other things before himself for a change. I think this is a good step and staying in school for another year is not a bad thing after missing much of this year. After this season at Michigan though, I'd expect him to consider a tryout with Albany to get his feet wet, like Zajac did. Then, the following training camp, he'll take a crack at jumping straight to the big club.
Out of all the D prospects we have he is the most talented. At most he would have to spend two years in the AHL which I would prefer to two years of college hockey.
I hope I'm wrong.
You're wrong. I'm sorry, but you're wrong. Where are you getting this from? No way was Merrill making the Devils this year. Is Larsson just scrap now? Merrill hasn't spent time in a pro league playing against grown men. Who exactly was he gonna replace on the roster, especially after missing an entire season of playing?
You're wrong. I'm sorry, but you're wrong. Where are you getting this from? No way was Merrill making the Devils this year. Is Larsson just scrap now? Merrill hasn't spent time in a pro league playing against grown men. Who exactly was he gonna replace on the roster, especially after missing an entire season of playing?
Alright, I get the first seven words but the rest is like what the actual ****.
Alright, I get the first seven words but the rest is like what the actual ****.
No, he makes sense. There was no room on the NHL roster for Merrill this season, and there is no room on the NHL roster for Merrill next season. Not when we already have at least six current NHL calibre defencemen signed for next season, and several prospects ahead of Merrill on the depth chart who might get a shot.
I never said anything about making the NHL roster this year. I said he will take 2 years maximum on the AHL roster which I prefer to playing two years of college hockey.
I never said anything about making the NHL roster this year. I said he will take 2 years maximum on the AHL roster which I prefer to playing two years of college hockey.
Why? His issue is not being unrefined in his skill or his playing style, but rather maturity issues. He's probably better off working that out in college. Besides, I don't expect him to spend two more years at Michigan, just one.
Why? His issue is not being unrefined in his skill or his playing style, but rather maturity issues. He's probably better off working that out in college. Besides, I don't expect him to spend two more years at Michigan, just one.
There are plenty of immature players in the NHL. I doubt that if his issue what Not being unrefined and rather maturity he would be in the NHL. I would rather have Lou straighten him up in the major leagues rather than in college where obviously he has to much freedom (or had, but who knows) and Lou automatically has him on a short leash.
There are plenty of immature players in the NHL. I doubt that if his issue what Not being unrefined and rather maturity he would be in the NHL. I would rather have Lou straighten him up in the major leagues rather than in college where obviously he has to much freedom (or had, but who knows) and Lou automatically has him on a short leash.
You got to keep in mind that Michigan is one of the most respected programs in the nation as is their coach Red Berenson, I guarantee Lou has the highest respect and confidence in them in preparing Merrill for the NHL.
You got to keep in mind that Michigan is one of the most respected programs in the nation as is their coach Red Berenson, I guarantee Lou has the highest respect and confidence in them in preparing Merrill for the NHL.
Very true. Does anyone know if Lou has talked to Merrill about a contract?
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