Not every pick in an NHL draft pans out. While some become league superstars, others battle to adjust to the speed at the game's highest level. Many never make it at all, but some plug away in the hockey version of purgatory—bouncing between the minors and the NHL until they become a regular in one or the other.
Because of the incredible investment teams put into their higher picks, they're not quick to quit on a prospect. Eventually, though, the league's general managers have to make a decision on each player. They can get some value on the trade market for a player who still has some upside, dedicate themselves to more development time or, in extreme cases, just cut bait.
For some of the players on this list of NHL prospects who are running out of time to prove themselves, those decisions have already been made by their original clubs and they're on their second chance (in extreme cases, their third). They may have been trying to establish themselves as bigger pieces in the NHL or are still trying to carve out a regular role. Some may have yet to see more than a game or two in the top league.
These aren't fresh-face ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Steve Macfarlane
NHL Prospects Running out of Time to Prove Themselves
December 15th, 2016 by Steve Macfarlane Leave a reply »
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