A Significant Change to NHL's CBA Could Bring Big Benefits for Teams Around the League

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TJ Tucker
October 23, 2024 (9:35)

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The next collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and its players will likely bring about several changes, including a change to AHL eligibility

The NHL and NHLPA appear ready to embrace a major change in the next collective bargaining agreement that would make it easier for young players in Canada's junior leagues to transition to the AHL. Not everyone is happy about it, though as there's concern the OHL, QMJHL, and WHL will suffer because of it.

The current CBA between the NHL and NHLPA states NHL drafted players under the age of 20 who have committed to a major junior team in Canada can't play in the AHL. If they aren't ready for the NHL right away, they are sent back to their junior teams. Many changes are reportedly being discussed for the next CBA, including shortening the length of the NHL's preseason, and the AHL eligibility age.

The reason this rule was put in place was to ensure major junior teams could hang on to their talent a little bit longer, and not lose out on showcasing those athletes to the public for marketing purposes. If the rule is changed, Canada's junior leagues will likely lose many good players sooner than usual, as the level of competition in the AHL is higher than the OHL, QMJHL, and WHL.

All of this, of course, depends on whether a new CBA can even be negotiated between the NHL and its players, as it was recently noted that players were already preparing for the possibility of another lockout when the current one runs out at the end of next season.

Obviously, it's up to teams and their players to decide what's best for those under 20, but it doesn't seem fair that this rule doesn't apply to players from the US, Sweden, Russia, or any other country outside of Canada. At the same time, high-ranking junior league executives must be very worried about the potential impact to their bottom lines.