[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by getbak

If I'm reading the CBA correctly (and I don't believe anything related to this changed in the new CBA), the length of a player's ELC is determined by his age as of September 15 in the calendar year in which he signed his first NHL contract.

If a player is between 18 and 21, his ELC is 3 years; if he's 22 or 23, it's 2 years; and if he's 24, it's 1 year. If a player is 25 or older (and not a "European" player, like Cervenka), he does not require an Entry-Level contract at all.

Hanowski's birthday is October 18, 1990, so he will be 22 on September 15. As such, he will be required to sign a two-year ELC.

I believe if he signs a contract immediately, and plays in Calgary this season, he will burn the first year of his ELC, and would be eligible for RFA status at the end of next season. Otherwise, next year will be the first year of his two-year ELC.

He could potentially hold-out until August 15 to reach UFA status, but that would be a gamble for a player who isn't a sure-fire NHLer.

Thanks, I was thinking it was their age as of June 30th like it is for normal free agency, I always forget they use Sept. 15th for drafting and such.