Massive changes may be on the horizon for the NHL draft that could reshape everything
Photo credit: HTR
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently shared a major update on his latest 32 Thoughts podcast concerning the NHL Entry Draft.
The potential new rules could change how teams select young players.
New draft rules could alter player eligibility
Currently, players eligible for the NHL draft must be at least 18 by September 15 of the draft year and no older than 20 by December 31 of the same year. This has allowed 18- and 19-year-olds to be drafted into the league, with some continuing their development in juniors or college before joining the NHL.
However, Friedman revealed on his podcast that the league is considering restricting 18-year-olds to only being selected in the first round of the draft. In rounds two through seven, teams would no longer be able to select players who are 18. This potential rule change is being closely watched, as it would have a significant impact on the future of the draft process.
NHLPA's involvement in the decision
The NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) will play a crucial role in determining whether this new rule gets approved. Fans and teams alike are anxiously awaiting the outcome, as this change could alter the way teams develop their young talent.
This is a significant potential shift in the NHL draft structure, and it will be interesting to see if and how the rule is implemented. As always, changes like these spark debate, but the intention is to create a fairer and more development-focused approach to player selection.
| POLL | ||
17 SEPTEMBRE | 92 ANSWERS Massive changes may be on the horizon for the NHL draft that could reshape everything Should the NHL restrict 18-year-olds to only being drafted in the first round? | ||
| Yes | 29 | 31.5 % |
| No | 63 | 68.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
Latest 10 stories
