Elite Hockey Experience

There is a loooooong way before we get to the 2015 EHE Entry Draft but it's important to get the information out so that it doesn't surprise any of you next summer!

Unlike in the NHL Draft, where there are 7 rounds of selections, the EHE Draft will be 5 rounds. The reason for this is that a lot of times, little information is known about late-round picks until training camp. Having two fewer rounds increases the value of draft picks, as well as creates a deeper free agent pool if someone goes undrafted and hits the market. Each team will receive a pick for each round in every draft to start with. Teams are permitted to trade or acquire draft picks for the current year and the following year. Requirements for the number of picks you must hold at all times can be seen here or in the league CBA.

The 2015 draft will be a special one for our league because not only will it be an extremely deep draft class, headlined by Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, but it will also include the 2014 draft class. This was intentionally done to bolster the first round. It off-sets how lopsided it could potentially be if an already-well-built team managed to draft McDavid and make their team practically invincible.

Also, because this draft would have twice the usual number of players in its pool, a 7-round format is being considered for this particular draft. For now, it is still set as a 5-round draft. Your thoughts on whether we should hold a 5- or 7-round draft for Summer 2015 are welcome.

I would say just leave at 5. More players to the free agents pool or next year draft.

I was wondering why dont we transfer these undrafted players to the next year draft instead of the free agency. And if we decide to use draft picks as compensations during free agency, shouldn't we do the free agency before the draft? I didnt see anything in the rules concerning the free agency... I know! Lots of questions !

Nah. If it includes both the 2014 and 2015 draft, I think it NEEDS to have 7 rounds. I, myself, am a huge CHL follower and I love many prospects that I couldn't draft before the 6th or 7th round in a two years draft.

lakings wrote:I would say just leave at 5. More players to the free agents pool or next year draft.

I was wondering why dont we transfer these undrafted players to the next year draft instead of the free agency. And if we decide to use draft picks as compensations during free agency, shouldn't we do the free agency before the draft? I didnt see anything in the rules concerning the free agency... I know! Lots of questions !

Yeah free agency is the most complex thing for me to write, that's why it's still not posted yet. There won't be any draft pick compensation for free agents though unless an offer sheet is completed on an RFA.

I didn't really explain the part you are questioning very well. Undrafted players DO go back into the pool for the next draft unless they are either rated or age 24 or older.

So the draft will be done after the free agency right ? Im sure, at some point, there is a chance that RFA offer sheets will occur. Unless it will be the next year draft picks like in the NHL. In that case, I might be less tempted to let go my RFA on a agressive offer sheet for only next year compensations...

I havent been in a lot of leagues in my 12 years of experience and thats the only thing I have known. Either way im fine with the league decision.

For me, entry drafts and free agencies are the most fun things in sim leagues.

I think we should do a forum style draft where we pick every 15 mi..... JUST KIDDING lol

2 draft classes in 1... i'd say we have to make it 7 rounds

Especially considering we are only taking 5 prospects during the inaugural draft, plenty of left overs there also!

Peace
Alex
JACKETS

I will throw in my vote for 7 rounds in the 1st draft. It's going to be a deep deep class considering how well this years class is working out. And then you add next years class which is supposedly even deeper still.

If the NHL has 7 rounds worth of picks for each class, we are essentially only drafting half of that. 14 rounds of picks (2014 and 2015). Do we want to pull 5 rounds out of 14 or 7 out of 14?

lakings wrote:So the draft will be done after the free agency right ?

The draft will take place before free agency.

Jackets wrote:I think we should do a forum style draft where we pick every 15 mi..... JUST KIDDING lol

Lol killin me bro!

So the compensations will be for the next year draft picks then because the draft will have passed.

Would you consider to do it before so it could include this year (2015) and next year draft picks ?

Exemple :

Next summer(2015), I have RFA Sidney Crosby that I decide to just qualified and not pre-sign. GM Carolina offers him a contract that would give me 2 first and 2nds in compensations if I dont match. It would be cool that I would get the same summer (2015) draft picks plus the ones for 2016, if necessary.

Thanks again Owen !

lakings wrote:So the compensations will be for the next year draft picks then because the draft will have passed.

Would you consider to do it before so it could include this year (2015) and next year draft picks ?

That's an interesting idea that I will have to consider a little bit later on. I will say though that it's currently no different than the NHL, where the draft comes before free agency and any draft choice compensation on RFAs involves the draft pick starting the following year.