Quote:
Originally Posted by T@T
I think the rules have somewhat changed, I don't think college players can now snub their noses at their drafted clubs (J Schultz) and just go free agent after 4 years. I think they would have to sit a year after school in order to pull that stunt.
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No, nothing really changed on that front. Teams still hold exclusive negotiating rights with drafted college players for 4 years after being drafted or as long as they're still in school, whichever is longer. If a player goes through 4 years of school and graduates he's eligible to become a UFA on August 15th of that 4th year. Several players have gone that route.
The only wrinkle in the Schultz (and Wheeler) situation was that after being drafted he played a year of hockey prior to going to the NCAA so he was eligible to become a UFA after 3 years of university (which was 4 years total since being drafted). Because he hadn't graduated the language regarding the August 15th signing deadline didn't apply to him and he was able to become a UFA on July 1st. As far as I know that rule wasn't changed either, but we won't know for sure until the final CBA is released.
Regardless, any NCAA player can become a UFA 4 years after being drafted if they want to.