Could player loaning work in the NHL?

[Kingspiracy]

Would there be any reasons why player loaning wouldn't work in the NHL?

In football (soccer) players get loaned to other teams (usually in other leagues). A player that doesn't fit with their team direction, or is too inexperienced for a big club can get games elsewhere to work on their game and establish more value.

There appear to be less trades in the NHL because of the cap, couldn't loaning work to give teams and players more flexibility?

For example, Edmonton could trade a 3rd to say NJ to carry Lucic for a year, Lucic gets potentially a better situation and a chance to get his game back (helping the oil move him the following year). NJ gets to try lucic for a year to see if he would fit, but don't have to absorb the whole contract term as Lucic returns to edmonton at the end of the season. If Lucic doesn't want to go to NJ he can nix the loan.

Teams could trade picks for the ability to load up for a playoff run or jettison players for a year that don't fit but have trade inhibiting contracts

Wouldn't that benefit the players and the owners?

Click to read more...

 

[Reaper45]

Would there be any reasons why player loaning wouldn't work in the NHL?

In football (soccer) players get loaned to other teams (usually in other leagues). A player that doesn't fit with their team direction, or is too inexperienced for a big club can get games elsewhere to work on their game and establish more value.

There appear to be less trades in the NHL because of the cap, couldn't loaning work to give teams and players more flexibility?

For example, Edmonton could trade a 3rd to say NJ to carry Lucic for a year, Lucic gets potentially a better situation and a chance to get his game back (helping the oil move him the following year). NJ gets to try lucic for a year to see if he would fit, but don't have to absorb the whole contract term as Lucic returns to edmonton at the end of the season. If Lucic doesn't want to go to NJ he can nix the loan.

Teams could trade picks for the ability to load up for a playoff run or jettison players for a year that don't fit but have trade inhibiting contracts

Wouldn't that benefit the players and the owners?

I get it but with the cap why would Edmonton take him back after dealing him? They'd be stuck keeping that cap space open for his return so you couldn't get a replacement for him.

 

[Kingspiracy]

I get it but with the cap why would Edmonton take him back after dealing him? They'd be stuck keeping that cap space open for his return so you couldn't get a replacement for him.

Because it frees up space for them to pick up a player for the year (expiring contract) and push for a cup. It also increases their chances of trading lucic the following year if he plays well in NJ.

 

[Reaper45]

Because it frees up space for them to pick up a player for the year (expiring contract) and push for a cup. It also increases their chances of trading lucic the following year if he plays well in NJ.

Whole lot of ifs to make it plausible.

 

[SotasicA]

The reason this is used in soccer is because of the huge disparity between payrolls of teams.

A rich team signs all the good players, and just loan out those who can't fit in the squad.

Poor teams are left with cheap players, and discounted players on loan.

In a salary cap world, you don't just hang on to extra NHL-level players if they don't earn a roster spot. You trade them. It's simpler for the player, too.

Rules also don't allow loaning, as it creates conflicts of interest. How does it feel to plat against your own team? In the playoffs?

 

[Kingspiracy]

The reason this is used in soccer is because of the huge disparity between payrolls of teams.

A rich team signs all the good players, and just loan out those who can't fit in the squad.

Poor teams are left with cheap players, and discounted players on loan.

In a salary cap world, you don't just hang on to extra NHL-level players if they don't earn a roster spot. You trade them. It's simpler for the player, too.

Rules also don't allow loaning, as it creates conflicts of interest. How does it feel to plat against your own team? In the playoffs?

I was mainly thinking of players that are considered negative assets like lucic, that are pretty much untradeable.

Remember the lecavalier situation where he was made to ride the pine to get him to agree to a trade, he had to agree to retire early. It is a situation that could have been avoided with loaning.

As for a conflict of interest against playing your own team, I thought it was quite common that loaned players in football aren't allowed to play against their main team.

 

[PSP]

There's really only one premier hockey league vs many similar football leagues - and a salary cap that most football leagues don't have to deal with.

Good idea that unfortunately wouldn't fly...

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I'd like to see the Kings loaned to the ECHL, where they might find more success. They probably would struggle in the AHL.