Quote:
Originally Posted by wpgflamesfan
I actually think this could work if you:
Eliminate RFA status (everyone goes UFA when their contracts are up)
Eliminate entry level deals (since some teams will have to use money to lure these players)
Set up a lower age bound to sign players
Keep the salary cap.
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Not a bad idea actually, but after some thought, I would maybe go another direction.
Get rid of the draft.
Players 18 years of age or older can sign with any team that they like.
Keep the ELC rules as they are.
This is where it gets interesting and possibly can guarantee some sort of parity that we love here in North America.
All teams that don't qualify for playoffs are allowed to sign 1 18 year old to a huge signing bonus that counts against the upcoming year's cap whether or not that player is on the roster. Bottom 5 teams are allowed an extra huge signing bonus without that extra one affecting the cap.
This way, teams address exactly what they need, it takes the randomness out of the draft and actually encourages good team management. It also encourages parity to an extent, gives players options of where they feel their career would do the best and I feel would help speed up some rebuilds.
So in my example, if Calgary finish out of the bottom five, they still have a chance to sign the top centres if those guys chose to play here. So the Flames can make a pitch to MacKinnon, Monahan, Lindholm and Barkov. Offer them that huge bonus, guarantee them top minutes, sell them on the team and the city and if one of the so choses to play for the Flames then that's awesome. On the other hand, a team like Toronto can go after those guys as well, but without the benifit of being able to dole out that bonus and without being able to guarantee top line minutes, they might now want to sign there, unless the player really loves the Leafs.