NHL Draft Pick Rights set to Expire in June

Image © Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

Each year, a set of prospects have their NHL rights expire on June 1 if they are not signed to an Entry-Level Contract (ELC) by June 1.  These expiries can generally be classified into five groups:

1. Players Drafted in 2023 from Canadian Major Junior Leagues who stayed in Major Junior through their age 20 season.
2. Players Drafted in 2021 from Canadian Major Junior Leagues who left Major Junior before their age 20 season.
3. Players Drafted in 2021 from European leagues before age 20
4. Players Drafted in 2023 from European leagues at age 20 or over
5. Players Drafted in 2021 who became college students and left school before their graduation year.

Players in leagues without current NHL transfer agreements (e.g., the KHL and its feeder leagues) do not have their rights expire.

Impact of NCAA Decision on Players Drafted from Major Junior

One caveat this season is the NCAA's recent decision to allow players with Major Junior experience play college hockey, beginning in the 2025-26 season. This has resulted in a handful of players committing to U.S colleges for next season after having played two full seasons of Major Junior post-draft.

Some front office sources tell PuckPedia they expect these players’ rights will be extended by two years, as is typically the case for players who leave Major Junior early before age 20. However, some player agents dispute that interpretation in conversations with PuckPedia. This topic was brought up at the GM meetings in March, and it is possible that the NHL and NHLPA negotiate a resolution either prior to the new CBA, or at a minimum, as part of the new CBA.  

Until that resolution is announced, league and agent contacts generally agree that these players drafted out of Major Junior in 2023 and who played Major Junior last season should be treated as June 1, 2025 expiries, regardless of their NCAA commitments.

Projected June 1, 2025 Expiry of NHL Draft Rights

* Indicates this player signed a contract before the deadline.

Note: Brett Hyland (WSH) was previously listed above.  As a college player, his rights were held through the June 1 deadline.

Expired Rights for Players Who Played College Hockey in 2024-25

In addition to the players above, it appears that Central Registry was notified that the following players are no longer bona fide college students.  These players also had their rights expire on June 1:

Note: Chase Yoder and Sam Stange played a 5th year of NCAA eligibility as graduate students in 2024-25.  The August 15 signing deadline applies to players who leave school after their 4th year of eligibility, or players who are scheduled to graduate after four years of college.

 

Rights Relinquished

The San Jose Sharks announced that they would not be signing Yvegeni Kashnikov, and it appears that his rights expired on June 1. With Kashnikov under contract in the KHL, San Jose would have been able to retain his rights as a Defected Player - it appears that they opted to relinquish his rights instead.

Players Drafted in 2023 from Major Junior who Committed to NCAA for 2025-26

The status of these players is pending a league and PA resolution which could extend rights.  As of now, they appear to still be property of their NHL team.