The Puck Stops Here

According to the most recent NHL Central Bargaining Agreement, tonight (Tuesday) at midnight eastern time, any unsigned North American player in the 2003 entry draft can re-enter the 2005 draft. This is the first part of a potential huge group of unrestricted free agents that may swamp the NHL when the lockout concludes. If these players attempt to re-enter the draft and there is no draft, they could be declared UFAs. This group includes Jeff Carter and Mike Richards (Philadelphia Flyers picks) as well as Marc-Antoine Pouliot (Edmonton pick) and Patrick O'Sullivan (Minnesota pick).

The largest group of NHL agents, the International Management Group is claiming that these players should be declared unrestricted free agents and is likely to pursue this matter in a court of law. The NHL position is that this (and other UFA issues) will be addressed in the central bargaining process). That is the preferable position for the league, but if negotiaitions drag on too long, a court may have its say. This is one issue that may be force some very heated discussion in the CBA meetings and is one reason that I remain skeptical that the CBA negotiations are as close to being wrapped up as many report.

Here is Bob McKenzie's take on the potential fiasco.

NOTE: I Probably should have mentioned that IMG wants all the players chosen in the 2004 entry draft who had not yet recieved a legit offer from their new team declared UFA's also. I neglected to mention this - although it is clear from the Bob McKenzie article.