smithers joe

Of that list @DoughtysCheck -- only two were first rounders. Also, if a first rounder bails on the team that drafted them, the team that lost the prospect gets a compensation pick.

Boeser likely doesn't want to play 2 more years in the NCAA. He'll play this year. I'm not too worried. Mike Reilly left to play for his Dad's team and he's currently toiling away in the AHL because of Minnesota's depth. He also played for the University of Minnesota... so that was the double whammy for him. (You could also add Matt Benning to your list, since he left Boston to sign in Edmonton).

What waiting the 4 years to be a UFA does for the player is that it limits their earning potential in their prime. Boeser has to play 2 more years to reach UFA status, then sign a standard entry deal (for 2 years -- which can't be burned because he can't burn a year off because he has to wait until August to sign it instead of March). Then, he has to play those 2 years before earning any sort of "big NHL money". So that's a long time just to pick a team -- and even then -- an entry deal doesn't mean you'll stay with that team. You just get to pick your "starting team". What makes sense for Boeser is to sign with Vancouver this spring, burn a year off the entry deal, play the rest of the contract and get the bigger contract sooner... which means he'll make more money up to two years sooner than if he waits. The simple financials show that the wiser move is for Boeser to make is to sign with the Canucks. That and he all but is guaranteed an NHL spot NOW with the Canucks.

Really, the players who hold out and wait are the late bloomers like Vesey, Benning and Reilly. They get drafted later in the draft and need the 4 years to truly develop. Then, once they're done, they use the loophole to their advantage and sign with whatever team they want. They're the exceptions, not the rule. Most college guys sign with the team's that draft them. Just look at Labate, for example, he played 4 years of college hockey and still signed with the Canucks when I'm sure he could have signed elsewhere. Breath and relax.

Besides, the Canucks may be signing their own "Vesey" in Alexander Kerfoot this August, anyways. (I make that comparison only because Kerfoot is a Harvard player, from West Van, who was a 5th rounder picked by the Devils but unlikely to sign with them).

^good point Quantum. 

I hope Boeser signs with the Canucks and gets a shot in the top 6 by seasons end or next season. I hope we trade away players like Hansen so that there will actually be opportunities for our young guys to play and make mistakes. 

My opinion: I rather lose Hansen over Bear cheese any day.