After the season-long lockout of 2004-05, the National Hockey League and the NHLPA, through their new collective bargaining agreement, agreed to lower the age requirement in attaining the status for unrestricted free agency. In 2005, a player had to be at least 31 years old to be granted UFA status once their contract had expired. Today, that age requirement has dropped to 27.
Age is only one factor as years of "accrued service" also count in determining a player's eligibility for unrestricted free agency. At present, years of accrued service stands at seven when not including age. For the minimum age requirement of 27, a player must have four years of accrued service.
Because of the lower age requirement for reaching UFA status, teams around the league are sometimes foregoing the traditional minor league development concept and placing players onto a "fast-track" in the NHL. Organizations have to look at receiving as much "bang for the buck" from younger players before they possibly venture off for a big pay day with another franchise.
Luca Sbisa, a rookie defenseman and 2008 first round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers has been inserted into the Flyer lineup for the start of this campaign.
Columbus Blue Jacket rookie forwards Derick Brassard and Jakub Voracek will be making contributions to their squad, albeit the Columbus coaches are a bit leery of demanding too much from the duo.
An article prior to this past summer's draft focused on defenseman Zach Bogosian. Bogosian was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers and is currently in their starting lineup.
An article from a year ago deals with the risk of starting 18-year-old Sam Gagner of the Edmonton Oilers. Questions are raised as to whether the player may not develop properly or if he goes "gang-busters" in the NHL and can then demand a mega-rich contract at the age of 25.
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