Quote:
Originally Posted by Thor
But can't we take him with 8 games to go help us for the playoff push, without him losing his rookie season status?
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Bennett keeps his "rookie" status until he is 26-years-old, or has played in 25 NHL games. But I don't think that is what you are asking.
· Bennett's ELC does not kick in until he has played in 10 NHL games in either or both the regular season or the playoffs.
· Bennett can no longer be added to the NHL lineup until his contracted status with Kingston has ended for the season, which is once they have been eliminated from the playoffs, or have won the Memorial Cup.
· The Flames could choose to add Bennett as an emergency callup, but only if they can show that the roster has suffered debilitated losses enough to make it impossible for them to ice a full starting lineup.
So then, yes, Bennett keeps his rookie status for next year. No, Bennett will not be available to join the Flames for the late season stretch outside of the extremely unlikelihood as an emergency callup. Yes, Bennett can be added to the Flames roster if they are still playing in the playoffs once his season ends, but that would also immediately begin the 10 game countdown to the activation of his ELC.