One of the most peculiar aspects of the National Hockey League’s collective bargaining agreement is the concept of sliding contracts. Designed to help teams keep the rights to their junior players without rushing them into the league, the NHL’s CBA specifically has a sub-section dedicated to the sliding rule on entry-level contracts.
9.1 (d) (i) In the event that an 18 year old or 19 year old Player signs an SPC with a Club but does not play at least ten (10) NHL Games in the first season under that SPC, the term of his SPC and his number of years in the Entry Level System shall be extended for a period of one (1) year, except that this automatic extension will not apply to a Player who is 19 according to Section 9.2 by virtue of turning 20 between September 16 and December 31 in the year in which he first signs an SPC. Unless a Player and Club expressly agree to the contrary, in the event a Player’s SPC is extended an additional year in accordance with this subsection, all terms of the SPC, with the exception of Signing Bonuses, but including Paragraph 1 Salary, games played bonuses and Exhibit 5 bonuses, shall be extended; provided, however, that the Player’s Paragraph 1 Salary shall be extended in all circumstances.
9.1. (d)(ii) In the event that a Player signs his first SPC at age 18 and has had his SPC extended pursuant to Subsection (i), and such Player does not play at least ten (10) NHL Games in the second season under that SPC, then the term of his SPC and his number of years in the Entry Level System shall be extended for one (1) additional year. Unless a Player and Club expressly agree to the contrary, in the event a Player’s SPC is extended an additional year in accordance with this Subsection, all terms of the SPC, with the exception of Signing Bonuses, but including Paragraph 1 Salary, games played bonuses and Exhibit 5 bonuses, shall be extended; provided, however, that the Player’s Paragraph 1 Salary shall be extended in all circumstances.
In other words: if a player signs an NHL deal at 18 or 19, his NHL deal doesn’t begin running until his 20-year-old season…unless he plays 10 NHL games, at which point the clock starts ticking. Games played in the AHL or ECHL don’t count.
Here’s a quick glance at all the NHL contracts potentially impacted by the “slide rule.” Last updated on November 5, 2013
ACTIVE DEALS (10+ NHL GAMES)
These players have played 10 or more NHL games this year and, thus, their entry-level contracts have begun to run.
D Hampus Lindholm (Anaheim) – 2012 draft pick – 14 NHL games
D Rasmus Ristolainen (Buffalo) – 2013 draft pick – 13 NHL games
F Zemgus Girgensons (Buffalo) – 2012 draft pick – 15 NHL games
F Sean Monahan (Calgary) – 2013 draft pick – 14 NHL games
F Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado) – 2013 draft pick – 13 NHL games
D Ryan Murray (Columbus) – 2012 draft pick – 13 NHL games
F Valeri Nichushkin (Dallas) – 2013 draft pick – 13 NHL games
F Aleksander Barkov (Florida) – 2013 draft pick – 14 NHL games
D Seth Jones (Nashville) – 2013 draft pick – 14 NHL games
F Filip Forsberg (Nashville) – 2012 draft pick – 10 NHL games
D Olli Maatta (Pittsburgh) – 2012 draft pick – 15 NHL games
F Tomas Hertl (San Jose) – 2012 draft pick – 14 NHL games
D Morgan Rielly (Toronto) – 2012 draft pick – 13 NHL games
F Tom Wilson (Washington) – 2012 draft pick – 13 NHL games
POTENTIALLY ACTIVE DEALS (ON NHL ROSTERS)
These players are playing in the National Hockey League but have yet to play 10 NHL games. Their entry-level deals are not running yet.
D Nikita Zadorov (Buffalo) – 2013 draft pick – 6 NHL games
F Elias Lindholm (Carolina) – 2013 draft pick – 9 NHL games
(Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
D Mathew Dumba (Minnesota) – 2012 draft pick – 9 NHL games
D Jacob Trouba (Winnipeg) – 2012 draft pick – 8 NHL games
POTENTIALLY ACTIVE DEALS (ON AHL ROSTERS)
These players are in the American Hockey League (or ECHL) and are eligible to play in the NHL this season, but have yet to play 10 NHL games this year. Their entry-level deals are not running yet.
D Connor Carrick (Washington) – 2012 draft pick – Hershey Bears (AHL) – 3 NHL games
SLIDING DEALS (JUNIOR OR EUROPE)
These players are on the roster of either a Canadian major-junior team or a European club. Their entry-level contracts are not running and will “slide” by a year.
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