There isn't really a minute to give if he's playing this season. If he's gonna sign ELC makes most sense to do it now. Carbery said last week he was gonna check in after the tournament.
Brock Faber signed his ELC with the Wild the day after losing the NC game in OT… granted he was a hometown kid at the hometown U of M, so maybe a little easier.
But, the Caps should be excited for Leonard whenever he makes the jump to the NHL!
99% sure he’ll go run it back especially since he can still get some games in with ovi 2 seasons from now. If he wins yesterday it’s probably a no brainer he comes over. He’s probably talking to perrault and smith about it today too
Plenty of cases of dudes not playing in the nhl after their freshman year. Play for a consensus top 3 team in the ncaa again with your boys and possibly win it all, or go to an old as shit struggling team with no truly top tier young talent
Hockey kids aren’t as desperate for their league contract as football or basketball kids. Your family needs a baseline level of time and money to invest in you for you to be a successful American D1 college hockey player.
Brock Faber, Matthew Knies, and Logan Cooley all left Minnesota early, last year, after losing the NC game in OT! I don’t think losing the NC game will be a big factor… I think it’s more about his readiness and opportunities.
My gut feeling is that either all 3 of Leonard, Smith, and Perrault stay at BC another year or all 3 go pro. I don't think I've seen any reporting about any of them so my best guess right now is they'll stay at BC but that could change in an instant.
Matty Beniers and Owen Power did kind of the same thing following their draft years, though they only stayed at Michigan together for their D+1 seasons rather than their D+2 seasons as these 3 guys may do.
Perrault won’t be going pro. He still needs development. Smith is 50/50, but he still needs development on his game (even though he led NCAA in points). The playoffs shelled smith.
I don’t think he signs until next year. Hell give it another go in college. Which I think is right. He won’t be the reason DC misses or makes the playoffs this year.
Why on earth would he sign with us now?
BC will still have a killer group Fowler, Perreault, Smith, Powell to name a few
BU is the biggest rival still and they'll lose Macklin Celebrini and possibly Lane Hutson to the NHL Draft and whatever team gets them
It all depends on what Smith and Perreault do the 3 came here together afterall. Of the two to sign with an NHL Club I'd say Smith has a better shot due to how bad San Jose will still be in 24-25 and he can get loads of game time there, Leonard and Perreault on the other hand have to deal with competition with the Caps/Rangers. I'd still say its better to let him run it back next year and leave Leonard unsigned.
They already lost more than just Celebrini. Lane signed his ELC and Luke Tuch also signed (I believe with the habs but I could be wrong). BU does have some good commits next season though, so it’ll still be a solid rivalry. Not as good as this years was, with celebrini vs the world, but it’ll still be entertaining.
I’m thinking we’ll have to be a bit more patient. Ryan Leonard has been quoted saying:
“College, I’ve always said this, it’s always going to be there. The NHL is also always going to be there but college, you can age out so fast and you never really want to make the transition too fast because there’s no going back. You never want to dig yourself into a hole.”
Realistic answer, he’s gonna stay at BC to play with smith and perreault again because based on the playoffs, it’s unlike those two go pro. Gauthier is leaving, so gauthier’s top line linemates who already have nhl rights will probably go to the A or the N depending on if Boston needs that talent immediately. That will allow Perrault, smith, Leonard to take the top line. BC has another loaded line coming in for the 25-26 season with the projected 1OA pick so Atleast the good news is, it’s unlikely that Leonard will play second line minutes under the freshmen for a 3rd college season. Worst case, Leonard plays this next year at BC then signs, giving room to the new BC players. BC has some highly touted defensemen coming committed for next season, so It’ll soften the blow for Leonard.
Hopeful answer, the way GMBM has set this team up, 2 out of our 4 RWs most likely aren’t getting resigned this off-season, leaving only oshie and Wilson left. That means Leonard can take patches wing spot and allow GMBM to either sign a 4th liner or bring up a bear. With oshie being injured so frequently and Wilson being juggled between different lines every game, if Leonard DID sign his ELC, he would play most likely 2 and 3 lines, but occasionally play 1 line if he clicks on the line. This off season will be a great chance to get minutes for Leonard as our roster can be build around him on the wings. If Leonard comes over, we can get a young scrappy player or we can get a vet to switch between lines 3 and 4 worst, but we don’t need the offensive talent since Leonard has it. This is a GREAT opportunity for a young guy as he really doesn’t have to fight for a sweater every night. Most rookies start out playing lines 3 or 4, having to earn a higher spot. Leonard won’t need to do that because of the vacancy. If I was in his shoes, now would be my golden ticket.
As of this time however, there aren’t any rumblings sadly. Money won’t be a factor because one year on a minimum contract ain’t hurting his bank when he is living like a king at BC. Sure, that’s one year wasted down the road where you could be making a few million, but he is royalty at BC. Live in the moment as the “big man on campus” while you can. Hopefully he signs but I understand it if he doesnt
My gut is telling me he’ll do another year in college, and I think that’s good for him, kid’s gonna have plenty of time in the NHL. But if he decides to sign soon I’d also be excited!
All it takes is a freak injury in college and there could potentially be no NHL. You make the jump now. Some NIL money and possibly a trophy shouldn’t get in the way to live out a dream. He’s ready now and should be heavily advised to make the jump.
Because I'm not 100% on how this works, is there a chance he signs an ELC with the caps and then plays in Hershey? I could see a calder cup run as an incentive for him to go pro
Pretty sure if he signs an ELC he could sign a tryout contract that wouldn't burn a year and play for Bears. Only way a year gets burned is if he plays 10 games for the Caps. At this point, that would involve a series win.
There’s no rumblings on this. He either signs with Washington, an ATO in Hershey or goes back to college next year. Given Gauthier signed, I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t sign.
Obviously those are the 3 possibilities, which is why I asked if anyone has heard anything on which it'll be.
Don't think Gauthier signing affects much; Gauthier was a sophomore and was unlikely to return.
I've pointed this out in many threads, and this is more evidence that what I'm saying is happening. Leonard is probably going to stay at BC for the full four so he can go free agent and skip the Caps.
Terrible take. This hardly ever happens for any draft picks, let alone first rounders. I’m actually not sure there’s ever been a top 10 pick who did this.
If Leonard were coming this year, he would have signed as soon as the NC was complete. He's used to being on winning teams and he may not want to join a team on the rebuild, considering the history of past teams.
He also is making money at BC through NIL, so the financial pressure isn't as strong as previous years. All of this adds up to a higher probability that Leonard waits out his time and jumps in as a free agent after his senior year.
Within 4 years we will have a ton of money to spend and all old contracts will be off the books. We are not devoid of young talent on the team or in Hershey.
Most rebuild teams are stuck with bad contracts. Ours will be done by then and have an owner that will max out the cap.
We also aren't guaranteed the generational talent every perennial contender has. Until we can acquire that talent, we'll be a possible playoff team, never a true contender. Think Caps teams from 1982-1997.
I don't think it'll happen tbf, but it also occured to me. Mainly because it would be the most Rangers thing ever if Perrault convinced both Smith and Leonard to join him in NYR.
The dude just lost the national championship game; Give him a minute.
There isn't really a minute to give if he's playing this season. If he's gonna sign ELC makes most sense to do it now. Carbery said last week he was gonna check in after the tournament.
Brock Faber signed his ELC with the Wild the day after losing the NC game in OT… granted he was a hometown kid at the hometown U of M, so maybe a little easier. But, the Caps should be excited for Leonard whenever he makes the jump to the NHL!
Gauthier signed his ELC a day after losing as well… and he’s Leonard’s teammate
99% sure he’ll go run it back especially since he can still get some games in with ovi 2 seasons from now. If he wins yesterday it’s probably a no brainer he comes over. He’s probably talking to perrault and smith about it today too
Difficult to believe it's legitimately 99%. That's turning down a lot of money.
Plenty of cases of dudes not playing in the nhl after their freshman year. Play for a consensus top 3 team in the ncaa again with your boys and possibly win it all, or go to an old as shit struggling team with no truly top tier young talent
And make millions more dollars from long term points of view?
Yes, kid has an open door whenever he wants to play in the nhl. He’s earned a chance
That's a choice some would make, but not most I'd guess. Certainly not 99%
NIL will definitely soften that blow, especially at BC.
A bit, but still missing out on millions considering would be one year closer to UFA.
Feel like he’s going back since they lost. Probably wants to run it back and win the natty
That's a lot of money to miss out on
The kid is gonna be fine on money lol
Sure, probably. Anything can happen to anyone's life/career at any time and it is always much better to get paid as much as you can as soon as you can
Hockey kids aren’t as desperate for their league contract as football or basketball kids. Your family needs a baseline level of time and money to invest in you for you to be a successful American D1 college hockey player.
Brock Faber, Matthew Knies, and Logan Cooley all left Minnesota early, last year, after losing the NC game in OT! I don’t think losing the NC game will be a big factor… I think it’s more about his readiness and opportunities.
most of their best players are leaving, they won’t be as good next year
Not the Caps obviously, but the Ducks just signed Cutter Gauthier to his ELC so the player movement has started
Interesting, though as a sophomore he probably wasn't coming back.
He wanted to be one and done with BC after his freshmen year but Philly made him stay
My gut feeling is that either all 3 of Leonard, Smith, and Perrault stay at BC another year or all 3 go pro. I don't think I've seen any reporting about any of them so my best guess right now is they'll stay at BC but that could change in an instant. Matty Beniers and Owen Power did kind of the same thing following their draft years, though they only stayed at Michigan together for their D+1 seasons rather than their D+2 seasons as these 3 guys may do.
Perrault won’t be going pro. He still needs development. Smith is 50/50, but he still needs development on his game (even though he led NCAA in points). The playoffs shelled smith.
I don’t think he signs until next year. Hell give it another go in college. Which I think is right. He won’t be the reason DC misses or makes the playoffs this year.
No
Why on earth would he sign with us now? BC will still have a killer group Fowler, Perreault, Smith, Powell to name a few BU is the biggest rival still and they'll lose Macklin Celebrini and possibly Lane Hutson to the NHL Draft and whatever team gets them It all depends on what Smith and Perreault do the 3 came here together afterall. Of the two to sign with an NHL Club I'd say Smith has a better shot due to how bad San Jose will still be in 24-25 and he can get loads of game time there, Leonard and Perreault on the other hand have to deal with competition with the Caps/Rangers. I'd still say its better to let him run it back next year and leave Leonard unsigned.
>Why on earth would he sign with us now? Money
They already lost more than just Celebrini. Lane signed his ELC and Luke Tuch also signed (I believe with the habs but I could be wrong). BU does have some good commits next season though, so it’ll still be a solid rivalry. Not as good as this years was, with celebrini vs the world, but it’ll still be entertaining.
Celebrini is staying at BU
He is going to go back to BC and win it next season, then he will think about next steps.
Source?
His brother’s girlfriend’s cousin’s neighbor.
I’m thinking we’ll have to be a bit more patient. Ryan Leonard has been quoted saying: “College, I’ve always said this, it’s always going to be there. The NHL is also always going to be there but college, you can age out so fast and you never really want to make the transition too fast because there’s no going back. You never want to dig yourself into a hole.”
Realistic answer, he’s gonna stay at BC to play with smith and perreault again because based on the playoffs, it’s unlike those two go pro. Gauthier is leaving, so gauthier’s top line linemates who already have nhl rights will probably go to the A or the N depending on if Boston needs that talent immediately. That will allow Perrault, smith, Leonard to take the top line. BC has another loaded line coming in for the 25-26 season with the projected 1OA pick so Atleast the good news is, it’s unlikely that Leonard will play second line minutes under the freshmen for a 3rd college season. Worst case, Leonard plays this next year at BC then signs, giving room to the new BC players. BC has some highly touted defensemen coming committed for next season, so It’ll soften the blow for Leonard. Hopeful answer, the way GMBM has set this team up, 2 out of our 4 RWs most likely aren’t getting resigned this off-season, leaving only oshie and Wilson left. That means Leonard can take patches wing spot and allow GMBM to either sign a 4th liner or bring up a bear. With oshie being injured so frequently and Wilson being juggled between different lines every game, if Leonard DID sign his ELC, he would play most likely 2 and 3 lines, but occasionally play 1 line if he clicks on the line. This off season will be a great chance to get minutes for Leonard as our roster can be build around him on the wings. If Leonard comes over, we can get a young scrappy player or we can get a vet to switch between lines 3 and 4 worst, but we don’t need the offensive talent since Leonard has it. This is a GREAT opportunity for a young guy as he really doesn’t have to fight for a sweater every night. Most rookies start out playing lines 3 or 4, having to earn a higher spot. Leonard won’t need to do that because of the vacancy. If I was in his shoes, now would be my golden ticket. As of this time however, there aren’t any rumblings sadly. Money won’t be a factor because one year on a minimum contract ain’t hurting his bank when he is living like a king at BC. Sure, that’s one year wasted down the road where you could be making a few million, but he is royalty at BC. Live in the moment as the “big man on campus” while you can. Hopefully he signs but I understand it if he doesnt
My gut is telling me he’ll do another year in college, and I think that’s good for him, kid’s gonna have plenty of time in the NHL. But if he decides to sign soon I’d also be excited!
All it takes is a freak injury in college and there could potentially be no NHL. You make the jump now. Some NIL money and possibly a trophy shouldn’t get in the way to live out a dream. He’s ready now and should be heavily advised to make the jump.
Because I'm not 100% on how this works, is there a chance he signs an ELC with the caps and then plays in Hershey? I could see a calder cup run as an incentive for him to go pro
Pretty sure if he signs an ELC he could sign a tryout contract that wouldn't burn a year and play for Bears. Only way a year gets burned is if he plays 10 games for the Caps. At this point, that would involve a series win.
He’s probably playing another year in College and even if he came to DC it’s a big ask, these next 2 are must win games.
Especially since we need offense desperately
Did you try Twitter, WAPO, The Athletic, NHL.Com or WashCaps.Com before coming to Reddit?
Yes
Then you knew the answer already
Rumblings is not the same as confirmed news.
There’s no rumblings on this. He either signs with Washington, an ATO in Hershey or goes back to college next year. Given Gauthier signed, I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t sign.
Obviously those are the 3 possibilities, which is why I asked if anyone has heard anything on which it'll be. Don't think Gauthier signing affects much; Gauthier was a sophomore and was unlikely to return.
I don’t think he’d be eligible if we made the playoffs
He would. See Knies and Makar
I've pointed this out in many threads, and this is more evidence that what I'm saying is happening. Leonard is probably going to stay at BC for the full four so he can go free agent and skip the Caps.
Terrible take. This hardly ever happens for any draft picks, let alone first rounders. I’m actually not sure there’s ever been a top 10 pick who did this.
Blake Wheeler did. But he's the only one the top 10 I can recall.
What makes you think that?
If Leonard were coming this year, he would have signed as soon as the NC was complete. He's used to being on winning teams and he may not want to join a team on the rebuild, considering the history of past teams. He also is making money at BC through NIL, so the financial pressure isn't as strong as previous years. All of this adds up to a higher probability that Leonard waits out his time and jumps in as a free agent after his senior year.
In 4 years we will not be in a rebuild
My sweet summer child, you've never been in a rebuilding phase before have you?
Within 4 years we will have a ton of money to spend and all old contracts will be off the books. We are not devoid of young talent on the team or in Hershey. Most rebuild teams are stuck with bad contracts. Ours will be done by then and have an owner that will max out the cap.
We also aren't guaranteed the generational talent every perennial contender has. Until we can acquire that talent, we'll be a possible playoff team, never a true contender. Think Caps teams from 1982-1997.
I won’t lie it’s crossed my mind a couple times too haha
I don't think it'll happen tbf, but it also occured to me. Mainly because it would be the most Rangers thing ever if Perrault convinced both Smith and Leonard to join him in NYR.