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On Monday, experiences of a proposed American Hockey League (AHL) eligibility rule change as a part of the subsequent collective bargaining settlement (CBA) got here to gentle.
And, if permitted, it might have a serious affect on NHL franchises.
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As reported by Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News, the subsequent CBA might embrace a rule that allows AHL-eligibility for 19-year-old Canadian Hockey League (CHL) gamers:
Heard from a supply that subsequent CBA might function AHL eligibility for 19-year-olds. A lot of change swirling round prospect world however this is able to be nice for the Matt Savoie kinds of skills.
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) October 21, 2024
Because it stands now, CHL-eligible gamers have to be 20 years outdated by Dec. 31 of the choose calendar yr or have performed 4 years of juniors so as to be eligible to play skilled hockey on the AHL degree. Except 18- or 19-year-old gamers play greater than 9 video games on the NHL degree, they have to be returned to their CHL group, which nonetheless retains their rights till they’re 20 years outdated.
If a CHL-eligible participant does play greater than 9 video games on the NHL degree, their entry-level contract (ELC) kicks in.
Why would this rule change be such an enormous deal?
Effectively, for one, it will have a major affect on the CHL. The CHL depends on the present settlement between its league and the NHL so as to preserve high-end expertise taking part in within the league, drawing in crowds, and rising income. If the “slide rule” – the flexibility of NHL organizations to choice 18 and 19-year-old gamers again to their CHL group and “slide” their ELC again till they’re 20 – is modified to exclude 19-year-olds, many gamers will both decide to play within the NCAA or play for his or her guardian membership’s NHL or AHL group, dropping the CHL expertise and income.
It additionally impacts NHL golf equipment fairly considerably. This might spell excellent news for higher-end prospects who’re, primarily. losing a yr of growth in juniors that they do not want, and it incentivizes NHL golf equipment to have these gamers on their NHL rosters.
Related: NHL Announces Rule Changes for 2024-25 Season
Take Pittsburgh Penguins’ defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke, for instance. The 18-year-old (born Could 8) was the Penguins’ forty fourth total decide within the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, and he was very spectacular in coaching camp, practically incomes a nine-game “trial.” Finally, he was despatched again to his WHL group – the Kamloops Blazers – the place he has registered two goals and five points in six games, and he’s ineligible to be activated onto the NHL roster till his junior season is over.
Hypothetically, if the rule would go into impact subsequent season – it wouldn’t, which we’ll explain later – Brunicke could be eligible to start his skilled hockey profession with the Penguins’ group a yr earlier as an alternative of spending one other season in junior hockey, the place there most likely is not a lot left for him to realize so far as growth.
However, issues might get sophisticated for mid-level prospects and those that aren’t able to make the soar to the NHL.
Related: Penguins’ 2024 Second Round Pick Turning Heads in Preseason
If so with a participant, they’d mainly be burning a yr of their ELC whereas nonetheless in a “developmental” yr (barring that they don’t seem to be within the NCAA). So, except some modifications are additionally made to ELCs, this might current some threat for NHL golf equipment.
Additionally, pulling a participant into AHL-eligibility and their ELC too quickly might doubtlessly speed up and, typically, stunt prospect growth as a complete. That is one thing that groups would must be cautious of.
All in all, this proposed rule change is unquestionably an intriguing concept for among the league’s finest prospects. Chances are high that different modifications – together with some NCAA eligibility requirement modifications – would additionally come together with it.
But it surely might be thrilling information for hockey followers, who may have the chance to see among the league’s finest younger expertise even the slightest bit sooner.
The present CBA is about to run out on Sept. 15, 2026, so the brand new guidelines wouldn’t take impact till after that date. Negotiations for the brand new CBA are set to start in early 2025.
Related: Is There A Goaltending Controversy In Pittsburgh?
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