Free agent prospects

[redtiger7]

At some point I get prospects that finish out their juniors and become free agents. If I don't sign them and put them on a minor league team, will that hurt their development?

[frogman210]

Originally Posted by redtiger7

At some point I get prospects that finish out their juniors and become free agents. If I don't sign them and put them on a minor league team, will that hurt their development?

you do not retain their rights if you do not sign them before 3 years after you draft them i belive it is. if they move on then you do not keep them in your system or have the rights to them. Generally speaking letting a guy develop for a couple seasons is ususally smart in the minors then singing them after that. That way they are older a higher developed before their ELC (entry level contract) expiers and you generally get a better value for their contract that way. There are some exceptions obviously.. mcdavid etc..

[redtiger7]

I'm doing custom league. I've got quite a few prospects that are still on my protected list but play for no team.

[redtiger7]

And when you do sign them, they're immediatly placed with the main club, and get angry if you send them down to the minors.

[Adam B]

Originally Posted by redtiger7

I'm doing custom league. I've got quite a few prospects that are still on my protected list but play for no team.

Originally Posted by redtiger7

And when you do sign them, they're immediately placed with the main club, and get angry if you send them down to the minors.

Well that's typically how a player's contract will work.

Depending on how/when you set up your custom league, you may not have a minor team for them to go to, instead they end up on the "Protected" List. You will also see this in Historical Mode. This acts like a Minor League team, players still can get their stats raised, they just aren't registered as having played any games.

Also, how are you signing everyone with your club? Contract stats do matter. Are you listing everyone as a #1 prospect? Some players will feel as though they should be with the big club immediately, so their anger doesn't subside quickly. Don't fret it too much though.