The ‘leap year’ is a phrase I’ve coined as the year where NCAA players make the jump to the NHL in the same season. It normally isn’t a choice most NHL teams and collegiate athletes decide on, although it has become increasingly popular in the last two seasons with higher-drafted players. We’re seeing less of collegiate athletes wait until free agency to choose a team to play for (like Jimmy Vesey), and more of players joining their NHL teams immediately.
So when Bob McKenzie reported in mid-February that the Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators were looking to have two defensive prospects turn pro mid-season, I decided to look into whether or not it is the best move for those players’ developments.