vanner
Registered User
I have heard/read some interesting possibilities. Here are some:
1) The Draft would be cancelled because the Draft can't take place legally if a lockout exists. Players eligible might have to wait a year......
2) The draft would take place with the same order as last year
3) The draft would take place however the order would be determined via a lottery (perhaps using some weighting system reflecting each team finish in the 2003/04 season)
With such a high profile player (Crosby), a huge debate will probably take place as soon as the season is officially cancelled.
Here is a theory based on 1) that I have heard:
From what I understand there definitely might be some legal issues to holding a Draft during a lockout. If this is the case, I have heard that without a Draft all players eligible for the 2005 Draft would become Free Agents. Players could sign with any team as soon as a new Collective agreement is reached or when a new league is started. If you think this is far fetched then consider the NHL folding and then starting a new league (suggested in many cirlces). It has been suggested that the NHL may honor old contracts (minus a certain %) and all players who refuse to sign with their old teams by such a date would become unrestricted Free Agents. How else would a new league start up?? As such all 18 year olds not drafted might also become unresricted free agents......
Any other theories out there??
1) The Draft would be cancelled because the Draft can't take place legally if a lockout exists. Players eligible might have to wait a year......
2) The draft would take place with the same order as last year
3) The draft would take place however the order would be determined via a lottery (perhaps using some weighting system reflecting each team finish in the 2003/04 season)
With such a high profile player (Crosby), a huge debate will probably take place as soon as the season is officially cancelled.
Here is a theory based on 1) that I have heard:
From what I understand there definitely might be some legal issues to holding a Draft during a lockout. If this is the case, I have heard that without a Draft all players eligible for the 2005 Draft would become Free Agents. Players could sign with any team as soon as a new Collective agreement is reached or when a new league is started. If you think this is far fetched then consider the NHL folding and then starting a new league (suggested in many cirlces). It has been suggested that the NHL may honor old contracts (minus a certain %) and all players who refuse to sign with their old teams by such a date would become unrestricted Free Agents. How else would a new league start up?? As such all 18 year olds not drafted might also become unresricted free agents......
Any other theories out there??