Quote:
Originally Posted by Funkhouser
The rule is after two pro seasons you are eligible for the expansion draft. If I am not mistaken, a pro season is considered more than 9 games in either the NHL, or the AHL/ECHL under an NHL contract (July1-June 30).
When Gilles was injured in his first season under contract, his lost season was not considered a pro season. But that was his first season (i.e. he hadn't began to accrue his pro seasons yet)
Valimaki started accruing his pro seasons last year - I am not sure if there is a pause button for this.
I have never seen anything that indicates that a season lost to injury would result in the stoppage of a pro season accrual. This question could also be rephrased as: Should we hope that his injury keeps him out for the entire year to help the team in the expansion draft?
|
Believe at the time the Flames had to apply for an exception, because the expansion terms needed to be interpreted and did not provide explicitly for every case - but legal definition was 10 games or more played. Thought that they applied and received an exception for Gillies. If he doesn't touch the ice this year, I think the Flames would be pretty hard done by and be having the lawyers look at expansion terminology in pretty intense detail if he has to be exposed. I don't know how Gillies can be exempt but Valimaki not, whether its year 1 or year 2 is not really relevant because it's not like the entry level deal rolled over for Gillies - should be a simple assessment of whether or not the year counts as a "professional year"
I don't know how you can count a year where he doesn't play hockey at any level as a professional season under any definition.
That said, if he touches the ice their argument weakens and if he plays 10 games which is the legal definition of a pro season I've seen I think they're screwed and will lose a major asset on the blueline.