Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay Random
2 years, actually, for most players; then they re-enter the draft, and if they go a further 2 years without signing, they're free as birds. College players are stuck for 4 years but can proceed directly to free agency thereafter.
The only advantage college players really have in this respect is that they have a place to play while waiting out those four years. Players drafted out of junior don't really have a lot of options between age 20 and free agency, if they don't want to sign with the NHL team that holds their rights.
(Though we could start seeing North American players signing in the KHL while waiting for UFA status. If that becomes common, the whole draft system could be in jeopardy.)
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Yeah, Major Junior guys go back in the draft... that's why I used "a" NHL team as opposed to "the" NHL team. Point being that a young amateur player can only have restricted negotiating rights for 4 years regardless of the development stream they come out of.