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GFG#1 · 06-12-2025, 10:23 AM

I am not going to pretend that I fully understand the NIL rules or the NHL or NCAA rules, so someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I think this could have a major impact on the true superstars in the NHL and drafting them. For example, Mckenna.

This is what I am basing my thoughts on.

NHL- under the CBA there is an entry level deal Maximum plus bonuses a player can receive, with max bonus I believe it is around 1.3mil/year 3 year max term.

NCAA NIL- Schools can now pay players for sports using the NIL agreement, this money typically comes from boosters and shell corporations in a round about way, but they can also use Social media to get paid as influencers etc.

NCAA and NHL, after 4 years of College if not signed to an NHL deal the player becomes a UFA. in order to play in NCAA a player can not be signed to an NHL deal(not 1005 sure this last part is still true.)

Understanding that Hockey is not Football, basketball in the NCAA so I don't necessarily see it as a problem for most Players in the NCAA that have been drafted, but Mckenna is different and suspect it would be pretty easy for him to get to $1 million + in NIL agreements. So what incentive does he have to go to the NHL, it used to be to get to the NHL money sooner, but not sure he will need that now.

Why would he put himself in a Bedard or McDavid situation, where you have to go to a losing organization for multiple years until the team finally gets competitive. He could play his 4 years in Collage and then pick any contender he wants.

This concerns me due to Adam Fox, and I really hope the Flames have a chance to draft Mckenna, Ideally with Vegas's pick.

06-12-2025, 10:23 AM	#1
GFG#1 Backup Goalie Join Date: Jan 2023 Exp:	NCAA and NIL with the NHL I am not going to pretend that I fully understand the NIL rules or the NHL or NCAA rules, so someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I think this could have a major impact on the true superstars in the NHL and drafting them. For example, Mckenna. This is what I am basing my thoughts on. NHL- under the CBA there is an entry level deal Maximum plus bonuses a player can receive, with max bonus I believe it is around 1.3mil/year 3 year max term. NCAA NIL- Schools can now pay players for sports using the NIL agreement, this money typically comes from boosters and shell corporations in a round about way, but they can also use Social media to get paid as influencers etc. NCAA and NHL, after 4 years of College if not signed to an NHL deal the player becomes a UFA. in order to play in NCAA a player can not be signed to an NHL deal(not 1005 sure this last part is still true.) Understanding that Hockey is not Football, basketball in the NCAA so I don't necessarily see it as a problem for most Players in the NCAA that have been drafted, but Mckenna is different and suspect it would be pretty easy for him to get to $1 million + in NIL agreements. So what incentive does he have to go to the NHL, it used to be to get to the NHL money sooner, but not sure he will need that now. Why would he put himself in a Bedard or McDavid situation, where you have to go to a losing organization for multiple years until the team finally gets competitive. He could play his 4 years in Collage and then pick any contender he wants. This concerns me due to Adam Fox, and I really hope the Flames have a chance to draft Mckenna, Ideally with Vegas's pick.