KHL Junior Draft & Committments

[stop__dreaming]

Just wanted to know why the KHL has a Junior Draft where some teams pick budding stars that are what we think are going to play in North America.

Jack Campbell of US National Development Team was picked in the Seventh Round by Dinamo Minsk. Jerry D'Amigo in the Leafs system was also picked in the Seventh Round by Lokomotiv.

John Tavares was once picked and the pick was nullified by the KHL because he had active contracts at the time with the Isles, when they fully knew the rules before picking him.

Do Russian teams do this on the off-chance that they may ply their trade in the KHL instead of in America. If not, isn't this a silly and waste of a pick?

Also, Jack Campbell has committed himself to the Windsor Spitfires for the forthcoming season. Players who come out of the Development Program like Jack, do they have a choice of where they would like to play?

[30ranfordfan]

I'm sure that Jack would have had a choice, yes. Like a Russian kid that wants to come and play in the OHL.... nothing to stop a North American kid from going to play in the KHL.

Considering they'd likely be willing to pay him a nice chunk of change, instead of the $50 / week he'll get from Windsor - wouldn't blame him for taking it (though I'd be shocked if he did).

As for 'why' they'd make the picks - I think just to cover themselves. If someone really thinks the player could be available to the league one day, use a late round pick on him & see what happens.

Not a whole lot different than Chicago using a 10th round pick on Hasek in 1983. I have my doubts that the Blackhawks ever thought he'd play a game for them - but recognized he was a good, young goalie and made the pick. It took almost 10 years, but eventually he came to the NHL, and they had his rights.

[stop__dreaming]

I'm sure that Jack would have had a choice, yes. Like a Russian kid that wants to come and play in the OHL.... nothing to stop a North American kid from going to play in the KHL.

Considering they'd likely be willing to pay him a nice chunk of change, instead of the $50 / week he'll get from Windsor - wouldn't blame him for taking it (though I'd be shocked if he did).

As for 'why' they'd make the picks - I think just to cover themselves. If someone really thinks the player could be available to the league one day, use a late round pick on him & see what happens.

Not a whole lot different than Chicago using a 10th round pick on Hasek in 1983. I have my doubts that the Blackhawks ever thought he'd play a game for them - but recognized he was a good, young goalie and made the pick. It took almost 10 years, but eventually he came to the NHL, and they had his rights.

Would you suggest that going to play in the KHL would hamper the development of a young player if he decided to go there for a year? Or would the OHL the 'safer choice'.

Ah, I see. So Chicago drafted him and took 'a gamble' in some peoples eyes, but I guess it paid off, haha.