Current Rule on Non-roster Players Practicing with teams.

[Fourier]

With so many teams being hard pressed to the cap there has been a lot of discussion about teams going with 20-21 man roster. The sense that some have expressed is that non-roster players could practice with and travel with the team without counting on the cap but be formally recalled only when needed. This was a tactic that at one point was used to save cap space with waiver ineligible players. But my impression, perhaps incorrectly, was that the NHL stepped in to close that options, at least to a degree.

I would like to know what the current rule is in this regard. Outside of a reinstatement of the taxi-squad rule I did not believe that a team with a non-roster player who is not on the IR could have a player regularly travel and practice with them to avoid exceeding the cap. This is in particular an issue for players on teams with AHL affiliates that are far from their locations.

I could not find specific reference to this issue in the CBA but if anyone knows of specific wording it would be greatly appreciated. (Of course @mouser I am as always looking to you for any wisdom you might have in this regard).

 

[LadyStanley]

Players on NHL (active) roster, rehabbing players on IR/LTIR can practice with NHL. (Now, you can sign an emergency goalie/EBUG for practice.) Non-NHL roster players (IOW acquired from another team but not yet on active roster due to travel/quarantine/visa issues) are in a bit of a grey area. Suspended players can practice with team starting 10 days from the end of their (long) suspension.

AHL players CANNOT practice with NHL team, cannot use NHL facilities of parent team.

(During the regular season. During playoffs, taxi squad members can practice with or separately from NHL team.)

 

[mouser]

With so many teams being hard pressed to the cap there has been a lot of discussion about teams going with 20-21 man roster. The sense that some have expressed is that non-roster players could practice with and travel with the team without counting on the cap but be formally recalled only when needed. This was a tactic that at one point was used to save cap space with waiver ineligible players. But my impression, perhaps incorrectly, was that the NHL stepped in to close that options, at least to a degree.

I would like to know what the current rule is in this regard. Outside of a reinstatement of the taxi-squad rule I did not believe that a team with a non-roster player who is not on the IR could have a player regularly travel and practice with them to avoid exceeding the cap. This is in particular an issue for players on teams with AHL affiliates that are far from their locations.

I could not find specific reference to this issue in the CBA but if anyone knows of specific wording it would be greatly appreciated. (Of course @mouser I am as always looking to you for any wisdom you might have in this regard).

I think LS’s summary is pretty much on point, reflecting my understanding of the rules.

So many of these rule details aren’t explicitly laid out in the CBA. A simple example being: Can a AHL player practice or travel with the NHL squad? The CBA doesn’t address that at all.

It’s possible there are some non public agreements between the NHL and NHLPA on how to handle this. Any such agreement would be considered collectively bargained, and thus having the same force as the CBA itself.

I suspect the actual answer is “Who can practice or travel with the NHL squad?” is not covered by the CBA or other collective bargaining. That would mean the NHL can unilaterally set the rules so long as they don’t violate any laws, including labor laws.


Note: this doesn’t include the Taxi Squad rules which were collectively bargained, but also temporary.

 

[Djp]

Players on NHL (active) roster, rehabbing players on IR/LTIR can practice with NHL. (Now, you can sign an emergency goalie/EBUG for practice.) Non-NHL roster players (IOW acquired from another team but not yet on active roster due to travel/quarantine/visa issues) are in a bit of a grey area. Suspended players can practice with team starting 10 days from the end of their (long) suspension.

AHL players CANNOT practice with NHL team, cannot use NHL facilities of parent team.

(During the regular season. During playoffs, taxi squad members can practice with or separately from NHL team.)

there is something incorrect here Or clarification.

drafted/ contracted players can use team facilities in the off season and during training camp Where they are trying out to make the club.

with Buffalo…in 2013 they drafted Sean Malone a buffalo native playing in ncaa For Harvard. In the summer when out of school he could use training facilities and get support from the trainer staff.

I don’t know the legalize of the training staff like if they were Sabres employees vs being separate facility employees.

because hewas local he had to drive himself and not get the cost/ travel benefits other prospects got like for these summer prospect/ development camps.

with Reinhart playing in CHL he got trainer support In helping him improve his strength and conditioning.

 

[LadyStanley]

Off season rules are different.

Local pro players, in addition to local NHL contracted/drafted players, may work out at NHL facilities. Often alums from local NHL team return due to family/wife in the off season and skate in organized (by players, not team) workouts. (Sometimes called captain's skates) Local friends, pick up players, beer league guys, may be invited to join to make up the numbers.

Summer development camp... current/future NCAA players have to pay their own way (but may get reduced rates due to sponsorship and sharing room with other draftee/prospect), including meals and extracurricular activities. (For instance, VGK camp this summer had a night at a Cirque du Soliel show, and another at local MiLB game.)
Other draftees (CHL, European leagues, etc.) have their expenses/travel covered during development camp.

I am not clear on who pays room/board costs for non-NCAA players outside of camp (development or training).

 

[Fourier]

Players on NHL (active) roster, rehabbing players on IR/LTIR can practice with NHL. (Now, you can sign an emergency goalie/EBUG for practice.) Non-NHL roster players (IOW acquired from another team but not yet on active roster due to travel/quarantine/visa issues) are in a bit of a grey area. Suspended players can practice with team starting 10 days from the end of their (long) suspension.

AHL players CANNOT practice with NHL team, cannot use NHL facilities of parent team.

(During the regular season. During playoffs, taxi squad members can practice with or separately from NHL team.)

Thank LS! This is exactly what I was looking for and exactly what I suspected the rule was.

I think LS’s summary is pretty much on point, reflecting my understanding of the rules.

So many of these rule details aren’t explicitly laid out in the CBA. A simple example being: Can a AHL player practice or travel with the NHL squad? The CBA doesn’t address that at all.

It’s possible there are some non public agreements between the NHL and NHLPA on how to handle this. Any such agreement would be considered collectively bargained, and thus having the same force as the CBA itself.

I suspect the actual answer is “Who can practice or travel with the NHL squad?” is not covered by the CBA or other collective bargaining. That would mean the NHL can unilaterally set the rules so long as they don’t violate any laws, including labor laws.


Note: this doesn’t include the Taxi Squad rules which were collectively bargained, but also temporary.

Thank you as well. And yes, we have a certainly seen a few instances of things not covered in the CBA but agreed upon after words.

As always input from you and from LS is greatly appreciated.

 

[varsaku]

Players on NHL (active) roster, rehabbing players on IR/LTIR can practice with NHL. (Now, you can sign an emergency goalie/EBUG for practice.) Non-NHL roster players (IOW acquired from another team but not yet on active roster due to travel/quarantine/visa issues) are in a bit of a grey area. Suspended players can practice with team starting 10 days from the end of their (long) suspension.

AHL players CANNOT practice with NHL team, cannot use NHL facilities of parent team.

(During the regular season. During playoffs, taxi squad members can practice with or separately from NHL team.)

Wait so they need different training facilities for each team even if they are based out of the same city? That seems like a waste of money and resources.

 

[LadyStanley]

Wait so they need different training facilities for each team even if they are based out of the same city? That seems like a waste of money and resources.

Yes. When Sharks moved their AHL team to SJ they had to build full, separate facility for Barracuda.