With the news that yet another AHL prospect in the Senators system has requested to be moved for a better shot at NHL ice time, I think its time to study the changes that The Bryan has made in drafting policy. Given that there are several holes in the IIHF transfer policy, it is getting tougher and tougher for teams to get their Russian and Czech prospects to come to North America, especially given that the KHL is a financially viable alternative.
Bryan Murray has decided to keep his picks close to home, choosing only 4 players from foreign leagues since he was placed in the GM role before the 2007 draft. Of those four (all of whom are Swedish) two are already established with North American teams: Eric Karlsson, with the big club, and goalie Robin Lehner in the OHL with the Soo Greyhounds. This shift is giving the Senators a clear advantage by getting these players into the North American system early, and getting them used to the standardized ice, and styles of play. I am by no means anti-Euro from a player scouting perspective, but when both immediate and long term needs can be addressed by players who are already familiar with the style of play, and who have an attachment to the league already by watching it growing up, and know the systems in place.
Outside of the four Swedes, B-Mur has spread himself around, taking eight Tier 2/USHL kids (most of whom go on to the NCAA), two NCAA players, and a smattering of guys from the west and form the Q.
Local = Accessible.
Keep up the good work Bryan-san. No more Dmitri Megalinskiy’s, or Vitaly Atsushov’s I SAY!!!
~MFP3
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