kdb209
Registered User
- Jan 26, 2005
- 14,870
- 6
If a new Seattle team was announced for a 2015 start I wonder if it would be helpful to give them an opportunity to participate in the 2014 entry draft.
Very unlikely, and probably illegal under the CBA and NHL Constitution/By-Laws.
Only Member Clubs are permitted to take part in the draft and Member Clubs are required to play the regular season schedule. There are no provisions for an inactive team.
In the last expansion all four teams were announced/awarded in June 1997, but the teams did not participate in the Entry Draft until immediately prior to their inaugural seasons (Nashville 1998, Atlanta 1999, and Minnesota/Columbus 2000).
I don't see the NHLPA ever approving of a player being drafted into limbo - unable to play immediately in the NHL.