Stupid McKee Question

[cbuckser]

For players in North America, 20 is the year undrafted players become free agents.  But, if they played in the season preceding their Age-20 draft, they are subject to the draft and become free agents only if they are not drafted as overage players.

The free-agency and draft rules are confusing, and there was considerable confusion on this forum (in part instigated by my misunderstanding of the rules) about them after the Canadiens drafted Jon Gleed last year.

[jkahn]

[Q]cbuckser Wrote:

 After his freshman season, David McKee was eligible for the 2004 NHL draft as a previously undrafted 20 year old.  The Canadiens surprised many of us and drafted Jon Gleed that year though Gleed was 20. [/Q]


McKee wasn't eligible for the 2004 draft.  Although the date for becoming eligible is based upon age at Sept. 15, you become ineligible based upon age at Dec. 31 of the draft year.  McKee, with a December 1983 birthdate, was ineligible for the 2004 draft, while Gleed, with a January 1984 birthdate, remained eligible.  It doesn't make a lot of sense, as those with a Sept. 16 to Dec. 31 birthdate can become a free agent in one less draft than the others, but that's the way it is.
I think it's absolutely safe to say the David would have been drafted had he been eligible in 2004, but his last draft eligible year was right before he entered Cornell.

[KeithK]

[q]I think it's absolutely safe to say the David would have been drafted had he been eligible in 2004[/q]It's always safe to say something that can't be disproved! :-P

[jkahn]

[Q]KeithK Wrote:

 [Q2]I think it's absolutely safe to say the David would have been drafted had he been eligible in 2004[/Q]
It's always safe to say something that can't be disproved!  [/q]
David had an excellent freshman year.  Guys drafted that year included David Brown, freshman from Notre Dame, who I saw play against us in Estero in our 4-0 victory, a game in which we were outshot.   Although that's only a one game comparison, McKee had an outstanding year.  There was even a USHL goalie drafted that year and lots of others who clearly hadn't proven themselves as much as David.
Anyway, my main point in the above post was to clear up the misunderstandings as to why McKee wasn't drafted in 2004.  It was because he was no longer eligible.

[cbuckser]

[Q]jkahn Wrote:

McKee wasn't eligible for the 2004 draft.  Although the date for becoming eligible is based upon age at Sept. 15, you become ineligible based upon age at Dec. 31 of the draft year.  McKee, with a December 1983 birthdate, was ineligible for the 2004 draft, while Gleed, with a January 1984 birthdate, remained eligible.  It doesn't make a lot of sense, as those with a Sept. 16 to Dec. 31 birthdate can become a free agent in one less draft than the others, but that's the way it is.[/q]

I had no idea that players with late-1983 birthdates became free agents at the same time as players with 1983 birthdates who could have opted into the 2001 draft.   What a bizarre rule.

I apologize for misinforming people.

[RatushnyFan]

I guess it was a stupid question that others needed refreshing on.  Thanks everyone!!

[The Rancor]

top goalie in the 03 draft: mark-andre fleury #1 overall

[KeithK]

Jeff, I was being snarky, not necessarily disagreeing.