Real Life NHL Rules Question

[BlackhawksFan]

I have a real life NHL rules question for the following scenario.

Let's say an RFA contract is up for a player, and he is in the AHL curently. They have played a handful of NHL games(under 11). They signed their ELC 5 years ago. If/when they sign a new contract, must they then pass through waivers and any one can claim them correct? Just wondering this for fantasy purposes, as this could affect some keeper decisions.

[als_revenge]

Go to https://www.capfriendly.com. Type in your player. Then click the "waivers exempt" button - and you'll get a customized answer re: waivers for that player.

[BlackhawksFan]

Go to https://www.capfriendly.com. Type in your player. Then click the "waivers exempt" button - and you'll get a customized answer re: waivers for that player.

Wow. Nice feature. Thank you. Said player has 1 year remaining. Estimated waivers beginning 2020-21, so after the playoffs end he must go through waivers.

[PenguinHunter]

Do NHL players have to go through waivers to be called up the the NHL team? Or is it only when they are sent down to the NHL team?

[als_revenge]

https://www.capfriendly.com/waivers-faq

- When a player is reassigned from the NHL to the AHL, they must pass through waivers (unless exempt). Waivers allow any of the other teams to claim the rights of the player.
- In the previous CBA, waivers were required when a player was recalled to the NHL (Re-entry waivers), these no longer exist under the 2012 CBA.

[PenguinHunter]

https://www.capfriendly.com/waivers-faq

- When a player is reassigned from the NHL to the AHL, they must pass through waivers (unless exempt). Waivers allow any of the other teams to claim the rights of the player.
- In the previous CBA, waivers were required when a player was recalled to the NHL (Re-entry waivers), these no longer exist under the 2012 CBA.

Thank you.

So if I am understanding the rules correctly and the opening question, this will only become an issue when said player starts playing in the NHL and then the NHL team decides to send him down to the AHL?

[als_revenge]

Thank you.

So if I am understanding the rules correctly and the opening question, this will only become an issue when said player starts playing in the NHL and then the NHL team decides to send him down to the AHL?

I think this is wrong (but am not 100% certain). I do know that the wavier period starts 12 days before the season and ends 1 day after the club finishes play. My belief is that if a player if not exempt from waivers, then they would need to clear waivers at the beginning of the season to be assigned to the NHL. So waivers, I believe, is applicable even if the player hasn't starting playing in the NHL. (I think this is why you'll see youngish players as healthy scratches at the beginning of the season. I think it's a waivers thing).

[stevegamer]

Thank you.

So if I am understanding the rules correctly and the opening question, this will only become an issue when said player starts playing in the NHL and then the NHL team decides to send him down to the AHL?

Not exactly. You can stop being exempt from waivers based purely on time, without any NHL games played.

[chuckcouples]

Thank you.

So if I am understanding the rules correctly and the opening question, this will only become an issue when said player starts playing in the NHL and then the NHL team decides to send him down to the AHL?

All players with NHL contracts start each season in the NHL. They need to be sent down to the AHL to play there. If they are not waiver exempt, they need to clear waivers to make it down to the AHL.