New deal has many elements
Jul 25, 2005 5:35:17 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jul 25, 2005 5:35:17 GMT -5
Extracts:
Q: Won't this new free agency system drastically alter how teams use younger players?
A: Absolutely. NHL teams will be very reluctant to use a teenager for a full season, unless he is an immediate impact player. Logic suggests that a team would rather have a player's rights at age 26 rather than 18. An accrued season is 40 or more games. To appreciate the difference it makes, consider Thornton. At 18, he played 55 games and had three goals. Today at 26, he is one of the league's best players. With players heading toward unrestricted free agency after seven seasons, teams will want to give up having that player at 18 so they can have him for sure at 25.
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Q: Any under-reported twists to the CBA?
A: Yes, if a drafted player stays in college until his class graduates, he becomes an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 15 of that year. This could make more players stay in college. Also, players making more than $75,000 in the minors have to clear waivers to come to the NHL. That, in effect, acts like a minor league cap because players won't want to have a salary that prevents them from moving easily to the big leagues.
- www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2005-07-24-question-answer-cba_x.htm
Q: Won't this new free agency system drastically alter how teams use younger players?
A: Absolutely. NHL teams will be very reluctant to use a teenager for a full season, unless he is an immediate impact player. Logic suggests that a team would rather have a player's rights at age 26 rather than 18. An accrued season is 40 or more games. To appreciate the difference it makes, consider Thornton. At 18, he played 55 games and had three goals. Today at 26, he is one of the league's best players. With players heading toward unrestricted free agency after seven seasons, teams will want to give up having that player at 18 so they can have him for sure at 25.
*
Q: Any under-reported twists to the CBA?
A: Yes, if a drafted player stays in college until his class graduates, he becomes an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 15 of that year. This could make more players stay in college. Also, players making more than $75,000 in the minors have to clear waivers to come to the NHL. That, in effect, acts like a minor league cap because players won't want to have a salary that prevents them from moving easily to the big leagues.
- www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2005-07-24-question-answer-cba_x.htm