Report: NHL revises rule pertaining to the free agent interview period
The National Hockey League reportedly sent a memo on Wednesday to all 30 teams, which was forwarded to all certified agents by the NHL Players' Association shortly thereafter. The memo was sent to clarify the rules of the still very new 'free agent interview period' that will open on June 25th, shortly before the opening of the free agent market on July 1st.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune's Minnesota Wild beat writer Michael Russo had the June 18 memo read to him by an unnamed player agent, and published it at his indispensible Russo's Rants blog:
After discussions with a number of general managers, we have revised and hopefully clarified with regard to last summer the permissible parameters of player contract and communication during the applicable interview periods.
Please be advised that clubs are permitted to discuss the potential interest in as well as general parameters of a potential future contractual relationship with another club’s pending RFA or UFA during the applicable interview periods. The clubs may not enter any agreements or make any binding offers, promises, … oral or written concerning the terms of a potential SPC (standard players contract) with another club’s pending RFA or UFA.
The interview period isn't much discussed in the 2013 NHL/NHLPA collective bargaining agreement CBA. As far as we can tell, it really only appears, with the specific rules laid out quite vaguely, on the "critical dates calender" found under Article 15:
Jeez, wonder why the league felt a need to clarify that?
Essentially teams will now be able to freely discuss the "parameters" of a potential deal with pending unrestricted and restricted free-agents in the days leading up to July 1. The two sides can't make verbal or written agreements, however, until the market opens.
In all likelihood, this just formalizes the types of conversations which have gone on for years between teams and agents prior to the opening of the market. So while it could impact the number of signings we see announced immediately upon the opening of free agency at noon ET on July 1st, don't expect a significant change to the way news trickles out on free agent frenzy day.