Jeremy Laura: Detroit Red Wings and the NHL face several big changes in the coming months

In my opinion, the NHL should change the draft to be players in their 21st year, like the NFL. I believe they would produce more NHL caliber players per draft. So much happens between 18 and 21 both physically and from a maturity standpoint. I spent ages 14 through 20 doing everything I could to put on weight. No matter how much I ate, my weight stayed steady. I was even taking Joe Weider weight gain powder four times per day and was probably on a 6,000 to 8,000 calorie diet. Around the time I turned 21, my neck size changed from a 17 to a 23. I didn't do anything different, but my metabolism naturally slowed and I was able to bulk up.

At 18, most drafted players have a 3-year window to prove that they will be NHL players. Most aren't even fully developed within that 3-year window. It's very different than the MLB which has a massive development pipeline so they can draft kids as teens and develop them at a pace that works for each player. Theoretically, the NHL could do the same and treat the tier one junior leagues as rookie, college as A, ECHL as AA, and the AHL as AAA, but they have no control over junior or college teams, whereas the MLB teams actually control their rookie and A teams, as well as a slew of shorter development teams/leagues in addition to their AA, and AAA teams.

Changing the draft year to 21 will clean up a lot of tampering, they'll get more NHL caliber players, and late bloomers will have more opportunities than they do today.

In my opinion, the NHL should change the draft to be players in their 21st year, like the NFL. I believe they would produce more NHL caliber players per draft. So much happens between 18 and 21 both physically and from a maturity standpoint. I spent ages 14 through 20 doing everything I could to put on weight. No matter how much I ate, my weight stayed steady. I was even taking Joe Weider weight gain powder four times per day and was probably on a 6,000 to 8,000 calorie diet. Around the time I turned 21, my neck size changed from a 17 to a 23. I didn't do anything different, but my metabolism naturally slowed and I was able to bulk up.

At 18, most drafted players have a 3-year window to prove that they will be NHL players. Most aren't even fully developed within that 3-year window. It's very different than the MLB which has a massive development pipeline so they can draft kids as teens and develop them at a pace that works for each player. Theoretically, the NHL could do the same and treat the tier one junior leagues as rookie, college as A, ECHL as AA, and the AHL as AAA, but they have no control over junior or college teams, whereas the MLB teams actually control their rookie and A teams, as well as a slew of shorter development teams/leagues in addition to their AA, and AAA teams.

Changing the draft year to 21 will clean up a lot of tampering, they'll get more NHL caliber players, and late bloomers will have more opportunities than they do today.
- bluelineenforcer

I spent the past couple years working with a former professor with a PhD in linguistics who is also an author. He’s working on a book that talked about the frontal lobe of the brain, where critical thinking is done. It’s not fully developed until age 23. The changes physically and mentally are astonishing. It is tough for sure.

In my opinion, the NHL should change the draft to be players in their 21st year, like the NFL. I believe they would produce more NHL caliber players per draft. So much happens between 18 and 21 both physically and from a maturity standpoint. I spent ages 14 through 20 doing everything I could to put on weight. No matter how much I ate, my weight stayed steady. I was even taking Joe Weider weight gain powder four times per day and was probably on a 6,000 to 8,000 calorie diet. Around the time I turned 21, my neck size changed from a 17 to a 23. I didn't do anything different, but my metabolism naturally slowed and I was able to bulk up.

At 18, most drafted players have a 3-year window to prove that they will be NHL players. Most aren't even fully developed within that 3-year window. It's very different than the MLB which has a massive development pipeline so they can draft kids as teens and develop them at a pace that works for each player. Theoretically, the NHL could do the same and treat the tier one junior leagues as rookie, college as A, ECHL as AA, and the AHL as AAA, but they have no control over junior or college teams, whereas the MLB teams actually control their rookie and A teams, as well as a slew of shorter development teams/leagues in addition to their AA, and AAA teams.

Changing the draft year to 21 will clean up a lot of tampering, they'll get more NHL caliber players, and late bloomers will have more opportunities than they do today.
- bluelineenforcer

But this is why the NHL Draft is so amazing. You have guys who are basically 25 year olds mentally/physically like Tavares vs Hedman who was a giant with no weight. You have undrafted guys figuring it out. You have insanely star skilled guys killing junior and can't do anything in the pro game. You have speedsters that suck, defenders with nothing to give on paper become players due to their style. It's one of the best aspects of the draft that you just don't know.

Don't even get started on goalies.

This is why you are the best/one of on this platform.

Not just fandom banter, but you pan the spectrum with thoughtful insights and questions.

Keep it up, except for tomorrow when the bolts come to town. LOL

This is why you are the best/one of on this platform.

Not just fandom banter, but you pan the spectrum with thoughtful insights and questions.

Keep it up, except for tomorrow when the bolts come to town. LOL
- TrueGrit

I really appreciate, thank you. To be fair, Bob Daniels was incredibly generous with not only his time but honest input. He was so good to me, and not the first time. I reached out to multiple people and they either can’t or won’t comment on this stuff. I feel very lucky, and this comment made the day better.