EHM The Blue Line

Did you notice in your game that the players that you draft usually lose many stars after the first year as unsigned prospects?
The late-rounders usually go from 3 stars to 1.

I usually get rid of most of them the year they were drafted to avoid that.

The number of stars represents the level of interest the other team's GM (or your assistant GM, in the case of viewing players on other teams) has in acquiring that player. Going from 3 to 1 doesn't mean the player got worse. It just means that he's not viewed as highly as he once was. For prospects who remain unsigned for a while, I think it's due to fear that the player will be difficult for them to sign, especially Europeans who would prefer to stay with their home team unless you offer millions and guarantee top line ice time. Acquiring the rights to a player means nothing if you can't sign him to a reasonable deal. It can be a very good player but he will have a low amount of stars because those other GMs don't think they will be able to agree on a contract. If you can, sign the good ones to entry level contracts and you'll notice their star levels rise again.

Agreed with BlindEarth80, on all but one point. The number of stars for other teams players. I don't think it's your Ass't GM level of interest. I always thought (but may be wrong) that it's the level of interest of the other team's GM about his own player...

Yeah, it's how highly *they* value their own player. Otherwise, the 'UNT'(ouchable) label would make little sense.

You're correct. I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that part, because I knew it was how highly the other GM thought of his own player. Brain-cramp, I guess.

ok

I just find it a bit weird that a guy who isn't signed during his first year after draft would be considered difficult to sign, even more when he is north american.

I just signed tavares two years after his draft year. And I don't think that's odd.