NEW WAIVER RULE
By Jason Gregor
11 years ago
Yesterday the NHL and NHLPA agreed to alter the start date for waiver period, thus opening the door for teams to assign their young players to their AHL affiliates. The Nation Network was able to obtain a copy of the new rules, and I will shed some light on what it means for the Oilers.
Yesterday I noticed a few questions regarding who could go to the minors, but also some errors regarding the money players would make in the minors.
Yesterday I noticed a few questions regarding who could go to the minors, but also some errors regarding the money players would make in the minors.
First off, if a player is on a two-way deal they will be paid their AHL salary in the minors, not their NHL salary. I have no idea who suggested it was possible that Jordan Eberle or others would get their NHL salary in the minors, but that isn’t going to be happening.
Here is what the NHL and NHLPA agreed to yesterday:
1. An earlier playing season waiver period (consistent with CBA section 13.2) shall be effective today, September 10, 2012, and will continue through and including September 15, 2012. Therefore, NHL Clubs shall have the option of Loaning any Waiver Player on or before September 15, 2012, provided that such Player has been properly Waived and has cleared Waivers prior to the time of the Loan.2. If a Waiver Player is Loaned between September 11, 2012 and September 15, 2012 pursuant to the terms of paragraph 1 above, such Player may be recalled at any time up to and including the third day preceding the start of the Season without requirement of being placed on Re-entry Waivers, regardless of whether such Player would otherwise be subject to Re-Entry Waivers pursuant to the current or any successor CBA.3. If a Waiver Player is loaned between September 11, 2012 and September 15, 2012 pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 1 above, and the Player is not Recalled (or is Recalled and subsequently Loaned) prior to the start of the 2012/13 NHL regular season, his NHL Club will be required to place such Player on Waivers again prior to the start of the 2012/13 NHL Regular Season.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO THE OILERS
It means they can assign Jordan Eberle, Justin Schultz, Magnus Paajarvi, Teemu Hartikainen and any other players who are on their ELC to OKC. This doesn’t mean they have to play there, I assume they will, but so far there hasn’t been a final decision on that by the organization.
I spoke to two different agents today and both feel players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will also be eligible to play in the AHL this year. They will allow 19 year olds who’ve played in the NHL to go to the AHL instead of back to their junior club. Nail Yakupov is not eligible to play in the AHL.
The agents also told me they believe that Eberle, RNH and J. Schultz would be contractually obligated to go to the AHL rather than to Europe. Of course they could butt heads and force the Oilers to suspend them for not reporting, but that likely isn’t going to happen.
The kids want to build a winner in Edmonton and I suspect the Oilers will have a conversation with the youngsters and they will mutually agree that the best course of action is going to the AHL. As I wrote yesterday the Oilers need to develop more than just their four offensive stars, and having Eberle, RNH and Hall, if he’s healthy around their other young players should only benefit them.
QUICK HITS
- Nugent-Hopkins is up to 185 pounds and feels much stronger. He could be even better than last year, which is scary considering he’s only 19.
- With the Hawks signing Michal Rozsival today, expect the rumour mill to heat up regarding Niklas Hjalmarsson. I know many felt a Gagner for Hjalmarsson deal made sense, but it would leave the Oilers without a #2 centre, and the Hawks don’t need another smaller centre. The Oilers need another banger on the backend more than another puckmover. IMO.
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