mckee

[bhan]

why is mckee not considered a top nhl draft prospect (according to central scouting service)?

[KeithK]

If there were an NHL draft this summer, which is far from certain, McKee would not be eligible.  He's 21 already - too old to be eligible.  Not to say that another couple of years like this one won't get him a free agent contract (which could well be more lucrative anyway).

[jkahn]

As Keith indicated, David has been overlooked and is now a free agent.  He was eligible for the 2003 draft.
More specifically, below are the eligibility criteria for the 2004 draft.
Players eligible for selection:
· North American players born between January 1, 1984 and September 15, 1986 are eligible for selection in all rounds.
· Non-North American players 18 years of age or older as of September 15, 2004 are eligible for selection in all rounds, with no maximum age limit.
· Non-North American players must be drafted before signing with an NHL team.

"Opting-In" to the Entry Draft
Beginning with the 1995 Entry Draft, all players 18-years of age are required to "opt-in" to be eligible for selection. This year, any player born between Sept. 16, 1985 and Sept. 15, 1986 is considered to be 18-years of age and, therefore, must "opt-in" to the Entry Draft