NHL News
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:
- Players Drafted in 2023 from Canadian Major Junior Leagues who stayed in Major Junior through their age 20 season.
- Players Drafted in 2021 from Canadian Major Junior Leagues who left Major Junior before their age 20 season.
- Players Drafted in 2021 from European leagues before age 20
- Players Drafted in 2023 from European leagues at age 20 or over
- 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
| TEAM | Player | Draft Year |
| ANA | Vojtech Port | 2023 |
| BOS | Jonathan Myrenberg | 2021 |
| BUF | Ethan Miedema | 2023 |
| BUF | Viljami Marjala | 2021 |
| BUF | William von Barnekow | 2021 |
| CAR | Patrik Hamrla | 2021 |
| CAR | Nikita Quapp | 2021 |
| CBJ | Tyler Peddle | 2023 |
| CBJ | Martin Rysavy | 2021 |
| CHI | Alex Pharand | 2023 |
| CHI | Marcel Marcel | 2023 |
| CHI | Victor Stjernborg | 2021 |
| CHI | Milton Oscarson | 2023 |
| COL | Maros Jedlicka | 2023 |
| DAL | Brad Gardiner | 2023 |
| DAL | Albert Sjoberg | 2021 |
| DET | Liam Dower Nilsson | 2021 |
| FLA | Jakub Kos | 2021 |
| LAK | Matthew Mania | 2023 |
| MIN | Kalem Parker | 2023 |
| MTL | Joe Vrbetic | 2021 |
| NSH | Dylan MacKinnon | 2023 |
| NSH | Anton Olsson | 2021 |
| NSH | Juha Jatkola | 2023 |
| NYI | Justin Gill | 2023 |
| NYI | Aleksi Malinen | 2021 |
| OTT | Oliver Johansson | 2021 |
| PHI | Carter Sotheran | 2023 |
| PHI | Matteo Mann | 2023 |
| PHI | Brian Zanetti | 2021 |
| PIT | Cooper Foster | 2023 |
| SEA | Kaden Hammell | 2023 |
| SJS | Theo Jacobsson | 2021 |
| UTA | Justin Kipkie | 2023 |
| UTA | Rasmus Korhonen | 2021 |
| VAN | Hugo Gabrielson | 2021 |
| VAN | Lucas Forsell | 2021 |
| VGK | Artur Cholach | 2021 |
| WSH | Brett Hyland | 2023 |
| WSH | Haakon Hanelt | 2021 |
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.
| Team | Name | Draft Year |
| CGY | Jaden Lipinski | 2023 |
| FLA | Luke Coughlin | 2023 |
| NJD | Cole Brown | 2023 |
| STL | Matthew Mayich | 2023 |
| TBL | Ethan Hay | 2023 |
| WPG | Connor Levis | 2023 |
