NHL could make major change to draft, making it harder to get selected
It is every player's dream to be drafted into the NHL, but if the league makes the proposed changes to the draft, that dream might become much more challenging.
Nearly all young hockey players have the same goal of being selected by the NHL in the future. It's one of the greatest days of their lives for the select few who ever realize their dreams. For the others, it's a chance to start over and figure out a different path to the NHL.
A recent information claims that if agents had their way, it might get even harder for players to get drafted into the NHL. Elliotte Friedman disclosed a possible modification to the league's draft during today's 32 Thoughts Podcast.
Some player agents believe the NHL Draft should be shortened to just 4 rounds, and there's a possibility that the NHLPA could fight for shortening the draft in the next CBA, per @FriedgeHNIC (32TP).
The reasoning is players that don't get contracts are mostly later-round picks, and people (mostly agents) wonder why players get tied to a team for 2-4 years, only to not get a contract from that team.
«They almost think it's like holding up a player from really beginning their NHL career. We'll see what happens there.»
The current CBA expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.
The reasoning is players that don't get contracts are mostly later-round picks, and people (mostly agents) wonder why players get tied to a team for 2-4 years, only to not get a contract from that team.
«They almost think it's like holding up a player from really beginning their NHL career. We'll see what happens there.»
The current CBA expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Although this concept makes sense in theory, NHL Draft selections are now a valuable commodity that is used annually. Late-round selections are now practically always used by teams to retain salary. Eliminating those picks in the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds would have a significant negative effect on wage retention and, in certain situations, would end the trade market entirely.
Agents are correct that late round draft picks probably need to alter, but this isn't the answer to an issue that only agents who want to get paid seem to be trying to solve.
Source: Blade of Steel
NHL may make major change to draft, would see over 100 less players drafted
| POLL | ||
Should the NHL shorten the draft to four rounds? | ||
| Yes, absolutely | 62 | 37.6 % |
| No, it's a terrible idea | 46 | 27.9 % |
| They need a change but not this | 37 | 22.4 % |
| I don't care | 20 | 12.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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