Didn't know he could after signing an try-out with the Marlies.
In other news, Dale Mitchell (former Maple Leaf prospect) has been re-assigned by Anaheim to the Reading Royals (ECHL).
It's a huge boost for Reading's playoffs, as Mitchell was one of their better scorers. He had 16 goals, 15 assists in 35 games.
Mark Owuya, Tyler Brenner, and Kenny Ryan are the Maple Leaf prospects currently on the Royals playoff roster.
Maybe he meant for classes? I know there have been guys who sign ATO's and ELC's after their season ends to play some pro games, but they also go back to school to finish out classes and exams.
For Leafs fans Brayden Irwin comes to mind. After Kyle Turris signed with Pheonix at the end of his 1st year at Wisconsin he said after the season ended he would go back for exams
Maybe he meant for classes? I know there have been guys who sign ATO's and ELC's after their season ends to play some pro games, but they also go back to school to finish out classes and exams.
For Leafs fans Brayden Irwin comes to mind. After Kyle Turris signed with Pheonix at the end of his 1st year at Wisconsin he said after the season ended he would go back for exams
Maybe that's what has happened then? Strange that he would even bother with the Marlies if he has up and left to go back to school after one game.
I know Irwin had returned to school, but he also burned a year off his ELC by playing in the NHL right away..which makes a bit more sense.
While Nicholls is trying to earn his contract on the ice, his agent Gerry Johannson is taking care of the business side of things.
"We've had initial talks about Josh, but we haven't talked about the contract yet," says Johannson. "I expect the talks to progress over the next while. With someone as talented as Josh, he will get a contract somewhere. I expect it to be with the Leafs, but if not, I guarantee you he will sign somewhere."
If Nicholls does indeed sign a contract with the Leafs it seems very unlikely he'd crack their opening day roster next season. So he would either join one of their affiliates in the AHL or ECHL, or return to Saskatoon as an overager. Obviously any player would love to move on to a professional league from junior, it involves a paycheck bigger than a couple hundred bucks, plus it's a step up in skill level. However, since the Blades are hosting the Memorial Cup, returning to Saskatoon would also have some upside for Nicholls.
"My first goal is to be in the NHL or AHL next year," says Nicholls. "Since the Blades are headed to the Memorial Cup it wouldn't be bad to come back here. It would be a great experience. That's out of my hands though. Either way next year should be an exciting year."
Hmm, I really hope we offer Nicholls a contract. Would really like to see what he can do at the next level. I don't know too much about him other than from stat watching, though I seem to remember he stood out during the rookie tournaments.
What are his knocks? Skating? I remember we all wanted to offer a contract to Joel Champagne after a monster season and were surprised when we didn't. The knock on him was his skating and foot speed if I recall and it looks like Leaf scouts and management were right in not offering him one. We offered one to Stefanovich when his effort level and perimeter play were criticized as having not developed, and he's no where.
If we don't sign him I may be bummed a bit but I'll trust the reasons.
Also, I wonder if we will throw a late rounder at Mitchell Heard?? He could be our Andrew Shaw.
Last edited by Stringer Bell: 04-03-2012 at 11:31 AM.
Hmm, I really hope we offer Nicholls a contract. Would really like to see what he can do at the next level. I don't know too much about him other than from stat watching, though I seem to remember he stood out during the rookie tournaments.
What are his knocks? Skating? I remember we all wanted to offer a contract to Joel Champagne after a monster season and were surprised when we didn't. The knock on him was his skating and foot speed if I recall and it looks like Leaf scouts and management were right in not offering him one. We offered one to Stefanovich when his effort level and perimeter play were criticized as having not developed, and he's no where.
If we don't sign him I may be bummed a bit but I'll trust the reasons.
Also, I wonder if we will throw a late rounder at Mitchell Heard?? He could be our Andrew Shaw.
I think its not the same level of concerns with Nicholls, if anything they are just wary of the contract limit and the fact that they have a ton of prospects that are: a) already with the marlies, and b) have even more graduating.
Nicholls can go back next year to the WHL, so it might make sense. Especially since his team is hosting MEM cup.
IIRC, that deal has an out clause over the summer. The point was so that he could be UFA, which he now is.
No, he isn't unrestricted yet. Montreal drafted Emelin in 2004 and maintained his rights up to before this season and it has to do with no transfer agreement between the leagues and possibly age i.e. younger than 27.
No, he isn't unrestricted yet. Montreal drafted Emelin in 2004 and maintained his rights up to before this season and it has to do with no transfer agreement between the leagues and possibly age i.e. younger than 27.
Ah well if thats the case then I am not sure what I read last year lol.
