Marlies sign NCAA free agent goalie Dryden McKay

[lamajama]

It's the same calculus for Petruzelli. Why Toronto on an AHL deal?

- NHL level facilities and training resources
- real playing and development time, not backup scraps on a bottom feeder
- build enough of a base and he can sign with anybody with a real offer and opportunity (probably the Leafs when their goalie inevitably succumbs to boneitis)

Did you try and slip that by us all...? :)

[cw]

Not really sure how it works but was no other team offering him an NHL deal right away so he settled for AHL only?

I mean there's a chance somebody was offering him an actual ELC and he just decided that playing in Newfoundland or with the Marlies would be better than any other ECHL or AHL team as he starts his professional career, but we likely won't really know.

If he works out how could the Leafs get him onto an NHL deal?

By signing him to one. He is still basically considered an UFA. The Leafs, or any other NHL team, could sign him to a NHL deal tomorrow or during training camp or whenever really.

With Murray injured ...

ECHL season starts Oct 21st. So he hasn't played a professional game in another league yet. He didn't play in preseason for the Leafs or Marlies that I'm aware of - which was curious to me.

Assuming they free up a contract space to do so, could the Leafs sign him to a NHL deal without having to pass him through waivers? And would that change if he starts the ECHL game on Oct 21st (another professional league)?

Maybe they wanted to sign him and he didn't want to ...

It's strange. Four great years in the NCAA (yes, for a good team) but blows away the shutdown record, wins the Hobey Baker (only the 3rd goalie to do so) ... that's a little intriguing, isn't it?

I looked at some clips. I haven't seen him play ...
Why wouldn't they at least look at him in a game?
It's kind of weird.

[CarltonTheBear]

Keith Petruzzelli (AHL contract) or Dylan Ferguson (AHL PTO) would probably be ahead of McKay on the organizational depth chart. They both have more professional experience than McKay, who as you said hasn't played a game outside of the NCAA yet (he did play in 1 of the 2 preseason games for the Marlies though).

[herman]

It's the same calculus for Petruzelli. Why Toronto on an AHL deal?

- NHL level facilities and training resources
- real playing and development time, not backup scraps on a bottom feeder
- build enough of a base and he can sign with anybody with a real offer and opportunity (probably the Leafs when their goalie inevitably succumbs to boneitis)

Did you try and slip that by us all...? :)

WEEELLLP

[cw]

Keith Petruzzelli (AHL contract) or Dylan Ferguson (AHL PTO) would probably be ahead of McKay on the organizational depth chart. They both have more professional experience than McKay, who as you said hasn't played a game outside of the NCAA yet (he did play in 1 of the 2 preseason games for the Marlies though).

It appears that Professional games CBA definition does not include preseason games.
Petruzzelli & Ferguson played in game 1 or 2 for the Marlies so they would have to clear waivers.

Dennis Hildeby is the only other prospect with a NHL contract. He's in Europe. Only 21. Doesn't look close to ready though he's physically very big - if they could get him out of his contract with that team.

If Samsonov or Källgren gets hurt in the next 24 days, they have a problem.

I guess Alex Bishop wouldn't have to clear waivers ... :)
Harri Sateri is back in Europe .. :)
Holtby is still available ...

Crazy situation
I was just curious as to what they could do internally.

[CarltonTheBear]

Leafs could sign Petruzzelli or Ferguson or McKay (edit: well assuming they clear a contract spot) and any of them could play in the NHL initially. I think you're getting mixed up with the rule that says anyone who plays professional games outside of North America after the start of the regular season has to clear waivers if they want to sign a NHL deal.

[Michael]

ECHL season starts Oct 21st. So he hasn't played a professional game in another league yet. He didn't play in preseason for the Leafs or Marlies that I'm aware of - which was curious to me.

I believe that he was suspended on April 14th for 6 months, so this would have just ended on Friday.

[L K]

Dryden McKay's suspension was only applicable to NCAA and IIHF events so I don't think he was prevented from playing preseason or AHL games.  I think its more that he's an undersized goaltender that probably isn't going to factor in to being an NHL goaltender because of his size and he's going to start at the bottom in the ECHL and is viewed as a tier or two below the other goaltenders in the organization.

[OldTimeHockey]

Back in the 80's and 90's 5'11 was pretty average.

Ed Belfour - 5'11
Curtis Joseph - 5'11
Grant Fuhr - 5'11

[cw]

Back in the 80's and 90's 5'11 was pretty average.

Ed Belfour - 5'11
Curtis Joseph - 5'11
Grant Fuhr - 5'11

Depending on where you look, he is now listed at 6'0"

Revamped Newfoundland Growlers training room ...


Problem solved!!

:)

[OldTimeHockey]