NHL Draft eligibility

[Dr.Brad]

Every year, after the NCAA season, there are signings directly from the college teams. Are these hockey players eligible for the draft despite having previously gone undrafted? You know, the Chris Kunitz types (to avoid using current names)...? Or do they remain free agents, with the right to “play the field” and sign with any team when their season is over?

[Dennis]

They all passed through the draft several times without being selected.

[chuckcouples]

Eligibility: Any North American player who turns 18 by September 15 and does not turn 20 by Decemeber 31 is eligible for the draft. Any non-North American player can be drafted at any age if they are at least 18 by September 15. If a player is 18, they must declare themselves eligible, but if a player turns 19 by September 15th, they are automatically eligible for selection in the draft.

Signability: If a player is not drafted by age of 20, that player becomes an unrestricted free agent. A player not signed by drafted team within two years can reenter draft, assuming they are still eligible, and if they are not eligible, will become unrestricted an free agent. A team has the rights of an NCAA player until 30 days after the player leaves the college. If a player is drafted a second time, they can not reenter the draft. If a player has entered the draft twice and not been selected, they then become free agents regardless of age. A non-North American player can not be signed unless they are drafted first.

Thank you to https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/rules/