NHL is Punishing the Calgary Flames for Trying to Break Contract Rules
Photo credit: New York Post
Everything about this situation just seems odd. How it ever got past the general manager or the player's agent before being filed with the NHL is a real head-scratcher.
NHL Rejects Entry-level Contract for Flames Player
The Calgary Flames have had to completely re-work a contract with a new player after the league rejected the one filed by GM Craig Conroy with the Central Registry. Conroy had just signed 24-year-old forward Sam Morton to an entry-level deal, but failed to check the proper cut off date for his age. Morton turns 25 this summer, meaning he is not eligible to sign an ELC.
"Sam Morton's #Flames 1 year entry-level contract (ELC) has been rejected by the NHL central registry - he is ineligible for an ELC since his entry-level age is 25 (greater than 24)
The #Flames will have to submit a new non-ELC contract."
The #Flames will have to submit a new non-ELC contract."
Were the Calgary Flames Trying to Pull a Fast One of the NHL with an ELC?
Signing Morton to an ELC would have allowed the Calgary Flames to send minors to the minors immediately without having to go through waivers. That is, of course, if the team wasn't attempting to break rules. Morton has since been signed, with Conroy using some fancy footwork to get him to the Calgary Wranglers without the possibility of being grabbed by another team.
"Welcome to the #CofRed, Sam!
We have signed college free agent centre Sam Morton to a one-year, two-way contract! #Flames | @original16beer.
Morton's contract will begin with the 2024-25 season. He will be joining the
@AHLWranglers on an ATO (Amateur Tryout) for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign."
We have signed college free agent centre Sam Morton to a one-year, two-way contract! #Flames | @original16beer.
Morton's contract will begin with the 2024-25 season. He will be joining the
@AHLWranglers on an ATO (Amateur Tryout) for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign."
The only question left now is whether Conroy and Morton's agent completely blanked on the rules as they apply to North American players turning 25, or whether they were trying to pull a fast one on the NHL hoping the contract would sneak through. Honestly, both are terrible looking scenarios for the Flames.
| POLL | ||
19 MARS | 214 ANSWERS NHL is Punishing the Calgary Flames for Trying to Break Contract Rules What do you think happened? | ||
| Simple mistake | 69 | 32.2 % |
| Clear case of trying to get away with one | 102 | 47.7 % |
| Not sure | 43 | 20.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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