NHL Rumors: The CBA, Chopping the NHL Draft to 4 Rounds, and LTIR

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek on the 32 Ideas: The Podcast – Oh My Bob episode, on the CBA, shortening the NHL draft, and LTIR.

** NHLRumors.com transcription

Marek: “One thing from Marty Walsh’s viewpoint, the manager director of the Gamers Affiliation, you recognize, was requested if he’s ever requested Gary Bettman about one other crew in Toronto, and he mentioned, no, he hasn’t.

I’ve all the time maintained I’d love to listen to the dialog when the purpose is raised about how a lot cash the Toronto Maple Leafs have spent in income sharing and now there’s going to be a brand new crew to muscle in on their turf however nonetheless.

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The opposite factor that Marty Walsh mentioned that I assumed was fairly fascinating was that the PA actually must take a while right here and begin to deal with the subsequent CBA. And I do know whenever you say CBA, that could be a glaze over and tune out for lots of people. However imply Elliotte, that is the primary time we’ve heard one of many sides say, we have to begin spending a while eager about the subsequent CBA, which expires on the finish of not subsequent season, however the season after.”

Friedman: “Properly, the league, truly when Invoice Daley joined Bettman, they talked slightly bit in regards to the LTIR and it’s …”

Marek: “That’s developing.”

Friedman: “… that’s going to be a dialog too. I’ll let you know one thing else I’ve heard {that a} couple brokers have advised me about, in regards to the subsequent CBA and that’s, that there are some brokers who consider and possibly even the PA believes it, we’ll discover out extra about it, that the draft needs to be shortened to 4 rounds.

And the rationale they, the rationale they really feel that approach, Jeff …”

Marek: “Why?”

Friedman: “Is as a result of they need you to interview fewer gamers. No, I’m kidding. That’s not the rationale.”

Marek: “The gamers have complained.

The reason being that there’s so few gamers from like rounds 5, six and 7. Like in case you have a look at the gamers who don’t get contracts, only a few of them are excessive picks, proper? Most of them are later picks. proper?”

Marek: “Yeah.”

Friedman: “And it’s the place of among the individuals throughout the Gamers Affiliation. And by that I’m together with brokers and gamers and all that, that why would they need gamers to be tied into groups for 2 to 4 years after which not get a contract?

They nearly suppose it’s like holding up a participant from actually starting their NHL profession or placing themselves in one of the best state of affairs. Like when somebody mentioned to me is, would it not be higher for there to be 4 rounds after which everyone who’s executed with the draft, change into a free agent …”

Marek: “A free agent, yeah.”

Friedman: “… that approach you may decide your group …”

Marek: “Properly …”

Friedman: “… and signal with them.”

Marek: “You recognize, there’s a faculty of thought and many individuals have put it ahead, that there shouldn’t be a draft within the first place. You might have a wage cap, so you may have a, you may have a strategy to …”

Friedman: “Properly that’s that’s a CBA factor.”

Marek: “after which. No, I do know, no, I do know. Dangle on, I’m gonna, what I’m saying is, there are some that say there shouldn’t even be a draft. Gamers which might be turning professional ought to simply be free brokers.

You might have X amount of cash to dedicate to varied gamers. Everybody has the identical taking part in area. Why not simply deal with everyone like a free agent. This …”

Friedman: “I don’t suppose that’ll ever occur however I do know (inaudible).”

Marek: “I don’t suppose it’s going to. However it inches nearer to that. Like listening to you discuss this rapidly now you’re eliminating three rounds of gamers that gained’t be drafted, whose rights gained’t be secured or held by groups, they change into free brokers and in a position to signal.”

Friedman: “I perceive, I perceive this place isn’t about that. It’s not about abolishing the draft, it’s about you recognize, why tie up a participant’s rights for 2 to 4 years if odds are they’re not going to get signed anyway.”

Marek: “Proper.”

Friedman: “We’ll see. We’ll see if it goes anyplace.”

Marek: “It’s fascinating. You talked about LTIR a few seconds in the past and fairly apparent that one isn’t going to get handled till the CBA expires.”

Friedman: “Yeah, certain doesn’t sound prefer it. Positive doesn’t sound prefer it.”

Marek: “For anybody. Anybody who needs a gross about Kucherov, Kane, Stone, all of it, Simply nothing’s gonna occur. Nothing’s gonna occur for a few seasons.”

Friedman: “Yeah, it appears like this going to be a bargaining situation.”

Marek: “You are able to do, in case you don’t prefer it, you are able to do two issues. Nothing and prefer it.”