What Does McDonagh & Stepan at Camp Mean?

Looking back through some old hockey magazines yesterday and I came across an 04/05 OHL year book (im a geek and collect all sorts of things) when I noticed Ryan McDonagh’s picture in the Sudbury Wolves section alongside Marc Staal; it’s a shame that they didn’t get to suit up together in the OHL.

Anyway, looking at Glen Sather’s comments in the recent Brooks interview it got me wondering something. I was of the impression that NCAA players cannot attend a pro camp if they were committed to college or it ends their college eligibility (as does having an agent), so given Sather’s insistence McDonagh and Stepan will attend a prospect camp in July does this mean neither McDonagh or Stepan have yet to ‘officially commit’ to next season in Wisconsin? What level of commitment does it take for NCAA players? The Islanders’ Kyle Okposo left college mid season to join the Isles a few years back….

So what does all this mean? Is there is an increased chance Sather can get the blue chip pair under contract sooner rather than later as he appears to want to do? And are both players seriously entertaining the idea of going pro this summer given their apparent willingness to go to Rangers camp? Is there a deadline where they have to commit to the NCAA by? Alot of questions seem unanswered right now for Rangers fans.

Sather’s brief comments regarding the pair were very insightful. It makes you consider about the knock on effect the two would cause; what moves will be made on D and up front if the pair needed to be accommodated. Are they ready for the NHL? McDonagh appears to be and personally I think Stepan is but only time will tell. One thing seems certain; Sathers comment means prospect camp will be full of rookie royalty.