Canadian Hockey League

Opinion: Jeff Marek is Back in Hockey Where He Belongs

I want to preface this article by saying that I love everything about what we do here at Inside the Rink. We have great writers, podcasters, editors, photographers, and everything else that is needed in order for a website to be successful. In my opinion, Inside the Rink is the creme de la creme when […]

When Can Newly-Drafted Prospects Break Through Into The NHL?

When do or can prospects make the jump to the NHL/AHL level? Most NHL prospects take 3-5 years post-draft to reach the NHL, with less than a third of first-rounders making an NHL team. Factors like skill development and individual progression dictate the timeline. Additionally, a strict NHL-CHL agreement impacts where prospects can play, depending on age. Any player under the age of 20 is ineligible to play in the AHL. NHL Entry Draft intricacies, entry-level contracts, Russian political issues and AHL stints shape a prospect’s journey.

Lafreniere Disappointing on Broadway with the Blueshirts

When the New York Rangers won the NHL Draft Lottery in 2020, the franchise and its fans were ecstatic. The consensus number one overall pick was Alexis Lafreniere, who the Rangers went ahead and took with that pick. At that time, Lafreniere appeared to be a player with unlimited potential. From the 2017-18 season through […]