The NHL reaches an extension to this agreement, hampers young players and their development in the process

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Joshua Deeds
November 26, 2022 (12:36)

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The Seattle Kraken has caused some controversy with the Shane Wright situation, after being scratched a total of 9 games.

It was reported a couple of days ago, that the NHL and CHL have reached an agreement extension on their transfer agreement through the 2029 season.

You'd think NHL general managers would want to re-think an agreement that's so unpopular with the fanbase, but they're doubling down on the same practice that causes stunts in player development.

Now there are few exceptions, like we saw with Shane Wright, but those conditioning stints only last 2 weeks

But exceptions allow for a player to get a two-week conditioning stint in the AHL if they have scratched at least five games in a row. The Seattle Kraken did this with Shane Wright, but what does the NHL/CHL transfer agreement mean in general for the AHL?

In Vol. 10 in 2021's WCL Journal and Law Review, Student Attorney Alex Dorian asserts that this current practice puts players in a position for "Abuse of Dominance" by the CHL citing the Sherman Antitrust Act:

The Agreement applies solely to CHL players ages 18 and 19. Its language limits the ability of these players to play in alternative leagues around the world and thus capture adequate compensation pursuant to their market value. With this restriction on the major junior hockey labor market, the Agreement violates Section 79 of the Canadian Competition Act («Act»), which prohibits market-dominating entities in Canada from engaging in practices that lessen or prevent substantial competition in a market. This Comment will explore the CHL's background, the Agreement itself, as well as the Act, which is Canada's equivalent to the Sherman Antitrust Act. This Comment will primarily focus on Section 79 of the Act, which provides civil redress against entities engaging in «abuse of dominant position.»

I'd imagine it can be very frustrated, especially if you're an AHL head coach, as seen below

In the long run, it looks like the ability to call up younger players and develop them in the AHL will continue to be shunned in favor of maintaining profitability for the CHL.

It is debatable wether some younger players would benefit from seasoning in the Juniors, whereas players like Shane Wright would benefit from a long stay in the AHL without the agreement complicating the scenario.

All evidence points to this being another Gary Bettman failure of leadership, but he is the owner's right-handman.

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Do you agree with the transfer agreement?
Yes	8	17.8 %
No	6	13.3 %
The CHL needs to be able to keep talent	15	33.3 %
Typical Bettman not caring about players	16	35.6 %
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