Interested in people's thought's on the use of NHL players by ECHL teams. Florida has two current NHL defensemen, Stuart ( Jets) and O'Byrne (Avalanche) signed over the weekend. Alaska has 2-3 players and I think there are 1-2 others on West Coast teams.
I am against it and not because the Cyclones don't have one. This is a development league and they are taking the place of young guys trying to make it. While they try and protect the big bucks they make they are taking money out of the pockets of guys just starting out. They have to play within the ECHL salary cap which means they are playing for normal tip money for them just to try to stay in shape. The influx of AHL caliber players is different as they are on NHL/AHL contracts and are assigned by the parent clubs to official affiliates. Other thoughts/opinions?
It brings a little more exposure to the ECHL and the guys they are replacing are bottom of the roster players that aren't likely to move up to the next level. I have no problem with it.
What does it do to the competitive balance? The two NHL defensemen for Florida obviously make them a much better team. Does that mean every team should now go out and try and find an NHL player or two who wants to get in shape? Toledo is two points behind us in standings. If they signed two Red Wings tomorrow would you still feel the same?
Last time this happened Scott Gomez (Canadiens) signed with his home town Alaska team and led the league with about 1.5 pts per game and they actually named him the league MVP for the season!!. Brandon Dubinsky(Rangers) signed with Alaska a few weeks ago and in the first week was named Player of the Week after scoring 5 goals and 2 assists in three games.
The guys they replace might be bottom of the ladder but the NHL players don't need the money at all and are taking a job and a paycheck away from them after they have worked hard to get here.
(Late edit: forgot that Dubinsky signed with the Blue Jackets. In that case his stay with Alaska might actually expose him to better hockey than he would see in Columbus)
To play in the AHL is one thing, dropping down to the ECHL is another. Remember the old IHL when San Diego went out and signed 4th line NHL players and put together a power house team. The ECHL could ruin this season if a few teams decide to "buy" a title chance with a loaded roster. Let's at least put a cap on the number of these NHL players that one team can suit up on game day.
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Posted - 12/13/2012 : 9:07:34 PM
