This is just a quick hit before Detroit is back in action. It’s relevant because we are nearing a time when collegiate seasons will end and players will either sign an ELC and get some games with a team (remember Hirose?) or announce that they may stay in school for another year. Now, CHL players can do the same and say they’re changing to the NCAA route (with European pro players able to do the same) and they can get paid.
Edited (reduced time) interview with NCAA coach Bob Daniels on the CHL transfer, Name Image Likeness and ideas for NHL teams like Detroit to find a way to secure college prospects in the new landscape. This was shot before the CHL transfer was agreed so you can take the “ifs” and convert them to possible if not probable
Quick video regarding tampering work arounds from last year
"There's ways to get around the [free agent] tampering rules by talking to the agents through a third-party." #NHLpic.twitter.com/6QtxuS7Ft5
— NHL Wraparound Podcast (@NHLWraparound) July 5, 2024
This is a clip from last summer. Texts and headlines were coming to me from friends who’d found posts and articles telling a shocking amount of details about where a UFA was going to sign. The “frenzy” desks would have those details if you watched the programming. The problem is, those players were still with other teams when those deals were hammered out and the signings were fast and furious. It’s been a known issue and now was just flagrant. The NHL has a tampering problem that by some accounts has blown out of proportion.
Add to all of this that Bettman is retiring and it’s a lot. It’s safe to say he won’t be missed by many of the fans. So, here’s the list of changes:
Decentralized Draft - at first when this blog voiced concerns about the function of draft day trades etc, I was told those don’t happen. At the last draft in Vegas, they happened. A player heard his trade announced while signing autographs. There are multiple scenarios still being floated on what this will look like. One is players and family in a separate venue than the small contingent teams will send and the rest of the staff will be offsite on conference calls. Accusations of teams trading up because they had someone listening to team discussions about a draft selection were floating around. This may be a stranger scenario than we imagined.
CHL goes to college - a lawsuit was put into place, with no small contribution from player agents, about the inability of a player who played jr. Pro to be able to go to the NCAA. For decades this has been the case and not just in hockey. The lawsuit came shortly after Name/Image/Likeness access was awarded to collegiate players. This is great for players. Some pick the pro route and regret not being able to go the NCAA route to develop. The other part is where the issue hits.
Name/Image/Likeness - I spent a painful amount of time tracking college football with the help of a friend. Not my sport. But one story in particular caused concern. A player declared for the NFL draft in December and 4 days later withdrew his name. Miami called and offered him 3.4 million dollars to stay in collage, transfer from his current school, and play for one more year. His name is Carson Beck
Jr. Pro (and according to one coach I interviewed European jr pro) players can only transfer to Division I schools. But there are 7 in Michigan alone and not all of them have deep pockets. Add in the tampering we talked about and realize that on Name/Image/Likeness an agent can get up to 20%. Many players already have agents when they look at recruiters in high school. They’re not called agents, they’re called “family advisors” until the age when they can be agents. You can hear from coach Bob Daniels on his personal thoughts on how this could go.
Go back to tampering and the UFA route and you can see quickly the issue that can happen. Those offers will have to come in the next month or so to keep drafted players from signing ELCs and the closer to 4 years that player has in school, the easier a sell it is going to be. The agent knows the $ it will take if a player knows they are headed to the ECHL or AHL. 100k would challenge the AHL deal and allow a player who knows they have value to hold out until free agency.
For Canadian jr, the problem is bigger. The players receive a stipend, but it’s not in the realm of an AHL salary. Take a look at the first round alone. How many of those players will start in the NHL? Now 2nd round and later picks who a school with deep pockets and high visibility can go to a team where they won’t get traded, play fewer games, get a degree and make good money. We look at the honor of playing in the AHL and how they may need that development. Look at yourself at 18 or 19. If someone offered you 100k or more to stay in school on a full ride could you pass it up?
At the last draft, the QMJHL wasn’t represented in last year’s first round. European players, college bound players and other programs are increasingly becoming a factor in high ranked scouting. Even without money, the NCAA route was pulling players away from the WHL or OHL. Now add that in.
I’ve had 5 conversations on this topic (some not recorded) with college coaches, one former player and one prospect. For the players, the NCAA option is huge. It could be the difference of staying in North America or being sent to a European league to sink or swim. This is great as a developmental option. For college coaches, there is a “wait and see” that seems marred with caution. Players can not only get paid to play, they can transfer within the school year for a better deal. In football, the number got to 6000 in the transfer portal looking for offers. You can now play for more than two schools in your NCAA career, which is also a newer rule change.
I’ve had debates with some of you, some aren’t really interested, but it feels important to throw this out there. Detroit fans have a very good prospect in college right now. NHL scouts are at the games. Go to that video at the top. A circumvented/indirect conversation can be had. The league needs to quickly make a decision on negotiating being able to sign a place holder/modified ELC for collegiate players. Limit the number, of course, but if a player was able to sign a pro contract for another league and can now enter the program, there has to be a way for teams to be able to add some security to that development path.
Continue to let me know your thoughts on this:
New Commissioner after this year
CHL teams could lose their top players
College kids can make money and get creative
What is the draft going to look like and will it affect the deals being made previously “on the floor”.
Like I said, NHL teams will find out if more prospects will hold off on the ELC starting in the spring and through the summer. CHL teams will find out if the most exciting player can go to college and get more money than they can pay them. Colleges can now scout all of North America and potentially Europe. It took 2 seasons for this to turn football upside down at playoff time. How quickly and how much will it affect hockey?
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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