TORONTO - Even though Auston Matthews is carving out his own path to the NHL by signing in Europe as a 17-year-old, he's not likely to be a pioneer.
Matthews, the front-runner to be the first pick in the 2016 draft, signed a one-year deal to play for the ZSC Lions in Switzerland's National League A rather than staying and playing junior hockey. That shouldn't hurt his draft stock, but members of the hockey community don't believe other draft-eligible players will follow Matthews' lead.
"I don't think it's a likely trend that's going to affect a ton of guys," player agent Steve Bartlett said.