Wow, over 500 votes on that prospects poll already in just three days. The Rebels have taken a comfy 58-46 lead over the Silvertips as of this writing....at the bottom we have only 11 votes for the Blades, their fans must be busy rehabbing those ankle injuries instead. Or maybe it's just that the Blades website provides very good info on their prospects instead and Blades fans don't really need what I post here.
We have a trade today in the WHL, the first of the offseason. Portland has dealt '92 (that's 19 year old next season) goaltender Keith Hamilton to Victoria in return for 2012 3rd, 4th, and 8th round bantam picks.
The To-Be-Named-Laters just paid a pretty high price for a 19 year old goalie with only 1931 minutes (spread over 39 games) of WHL experience, none of it as a regular starting goalie - although he is good enough to deserve a chance to play a lot more. Obviously they anticipate him coming in and being their starter next year, which bodes very poorly for current Victoria goaltender Braden Gamble, who would be an overager next season but now, after this move, I would say is probably not going to be on the team. (Last year's Chilliwack Bruins #1, Lucas Gore, has graduated from the WHL)
UPDATE: an eagle-eyed reader has just pointed out to me that Portland traded their own 2012 3rd, 4th, and 8th round picks to Victoria back at the draft in return for Victoria's 2nd round pick, which the Hawks used on Zach Patterson. So it looks like this deal was just to get the picks back, essentially making the deal Hamilton for the 2nd rounder. Since Portland was still playing at the time of the draft, they couldn't actually trade Hamilton at that time.
Finally today, this is making the rounds of the internet today so you might have seen it already, but for a fun little story about a WHL alumni's chance encounter with a rock superstar, check out this link.
3 comments:
any word on unsigned draft picks from 2009? Couldn't find if Toews signed with the Islanders...
I have not heard whether Toews signed with the Islanders or not, but the Islanders have until June 1, 2012 to sign him. As per the NHL CBA, section 8.6(c)(ii):
"(ii) If a Player drafted at age 18 or 19 is a bona fide college student at the time of his selection in the Entry Draft, or becomes a bona fide college student prior to the first June 1 following his selection in the Entry Draft, and does not remain a bona fide college student through the graduation of his college class, his drafting Club shall
retain exclusive rights for the negotiation of his services until the fourth June 1 following his selection in the Entry Draft."
Toews was drafted in 2008 and started at North Dakota that fall, then left after two years to go to Brandon, so the above rule describes him perfectly.
So, the Isles have another year to sign him yet. Since he has exhausted his WHL eligibility, I'm sure the Islanders would rather get a deal done this summer so that he'll have a place to play next season, but it probably just hasn't been a top priority for the NHL club yet, since they weren't facing a pressing deadline for him.
ah...thanks for the Toews note...I wish the NHL would put out a list...curious fans would like to know who is eligible in the upcoming draft again...
thanks for the quick response!
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