Can a high profile prospect refuse to play for the team that drafted them?

[BLONG7]

Not exactly the same, Mario wanted a signed contract. He wouldn't "wear the jersey and hat" until he had a signed contract.

There was never angst about Pittsburgh.

He did put on a show though eh................no big deal really, but there was a message sent, and received.

 

[SEALBound]

He did put on a show though eh................no big deal really, but there was a message sent, and received.

Yeah, it was odd at the time but I think he signed his ELC like a week later and took the photos.

 

[Lolonegoal]

Realistically, the more likely case would be a player going the Lindros route and forcing a trade rather than delaying their NHL career. Tim Erixon was a first rounder in 2009 but didn't want to sign with Calgary and tried to force a trade to the Rangers (his dad played there). Erixon's leverage was that he could re-enter the 2011 Draft where most thought he'd go in the #10-15 range. So rather than get a late 2nd rounder as compensation, Calgary begrudgingly traded him to the Rangers for a pair of 2nd rounders. But that's still an unlikely path for a blue chip prospect who could play in the league at 18.

This guy actually had a hilarious career trajectory, despite not accomplishing much of anything. First, as you stated, demanded a trade after being drafted. One of the draft picks he's traded for is used on Markus Granlund, who was at least a decent depth player. Tim on the other hand did nothing for the Rangers and had 0 goals and 2 points in his first season.

Then he's traded to Columbus in part of the massive Rick Nash deal. Continues to do nothing in Columbus with 1 goal and 11 points in 2 and half seasons and is traded to Chicago. Plays only 8 games there and has no points and is claimed off waivers by the Leafs. Plays 15 games in Toronto getting 1 point, and again is part of massive deal, going along with Phil Kessel to Pittsburgh, where he proceeded to never play another game in the NHL. Still playing in Sweden as we speak.

 

[Lunatik]

If a player drafted out of a Canadian junior league isn't signed - doesn't he re-enter the draft two years later?

To the OP's question - he doesn't HAVE to sign with the team that drafted him, but typically there are some pretty significant economic penalties if he doesn't.

Yes. The only players that teams hold indefinite rights to are players drafted out of the KHL, MHL, VHL or another Russian league. All other players can be UFAs in 4 years.

If they are drafted out of the CHL, they can re-enter the draft in 2 years and become a UFA in 4 years if they also don't sign with the second team that drafts them.

Players that are drafted and go the NCAA route, are UFAs in 4 years if unsigned.

Players drafted out of Europe (excluding Russia), are UFAs in 4 years if unsigned.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Yes. The only players that teams hold indefinite rights to are players drafted out of the KHL, MHL, VHL or another Russian league. All other players can be UFAs in 4 years.

If they are drafted out of the CHL, they can re-enter the draft in 2 years and become a UFA in 4 years if they also don't sign with the second team that drafts them.

Players that are drafted and go the NCAA route, are UFAs in 4 years if unsigned.

Players drafted out of Europe (excluding Russia), are UFAs in 4 years if unsigned.

The important aspect to mention is that even though those players are UFA's in that they can sign wherever they want - they still have to sign an ELC (likely a 2 year ELC) and their UFA eligibility does not change. So they'll have to wait until they're 27. As such - they're probably "forgoing" 2 years of potential career earnings (and delaying getting off their ELC) as well as potentially delaying their UFA elibility by a year. So while it's possible - it is a HEAVY price to pay with regard to career earnings to do so.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Every player could do this. Do they have the balls to take the PR nightmare hit for their entire careers? Most don't. And most don't care where they start their career.