One change in the NHL's collective bargaining agreement is still just a proposal, not yet official.
The CBA Memorandum of Understanding, taking effect in 2026-27, says the "NHL will reopen its agreement with the CHL to seek to eliminate the mandatory return rule for 19-year-old players. (The) NHL will seek to limit NHL clubs to loaning no more than one 19-year-old player per year to the AHL without the requirement of first offering such player to his junior club."
The proposed change addresses the existing NHL-CHL transfer agreement, which keeps players drafted from the OHL, WHL or QMJHL ineligible for the AHL until they are 20 or have four seasons of experience (with a season being at least 25 games). Until then, a player's options are the NHL or back to junior for the season, though they allowed to be assigned to the AHL after their junior season ends.
If the proposal takes effect in 2026-27, it could have an impact on Ben Kindel's development. If each team is allowed to designate one 19-year-old per year to be AHL-eligible starting in 2026-27, Kindel would be that 19-year-old who wouldn't be AHL-eligible under the current rules but could be under the new rule, and go to the AHL a year earlier than hoped.
The other two first-round picks, Will Horcoff and Bill Zonnon, don't face the same limitations. Horcoff, a college player, is eligible for the AHL at any time, though he will be going back to school next season. Zonnon, though also 18 and drafted out of juniors, has three years of experience in the QMJHL as opposed to the two Kindel has in the WHL. As a result, Zonnon will have AHL eligibility in 2026-27 if he plays at least 25 games this season.
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THE ASYLUM
CBA could benefit Kindel
One change in the NHL's collective bargaining agreement is still just a proposal, not yet official.
The CBA Memorandum of Understanding, taking effect in 2026-27, says the "NHL will reopen its agreement with the CHL to seek to eliminate the mandatory return rule for 19-year-old players. (The) NHL will seek to limit NHL clubs to loaning no more than one 19-year-old player per year to the AHL without the requirement of first offering such player to his junior club."
The proposed change addresses the existing NHL-CHL transfer agreement, which keeps players drafted from the OHL, WHL or QMJHL ineligible for the AHL until they are 20 or have four seasons of experience (with a season being at least 25 games). Until then, a player's options are the NHL or back to junior for the season, though they allowed to be assigned to the AHL after their junior season ends.
If the proposal takes effect in 2026-27, it could have an impact on Ben Kindel's development. If each team is allowed to designate one 19-year-old per year to be AHL-eligible starting in 2026-27, Kindel would be that 19-year-old who wouldn't be AHL-eligible under the current rules but could be under the new rule, and go to the AHL a year earlier than hoped.
The other two first-round picks, Will Horcoff and Bill Zonnon, don't face the same limitations. Horcoff, a college player, is eligible for the AHL at any time, though he will be going back to school next season. Zonnon, though also 18 and drafted out of juniors, has three years of experience in the QMJHL as opposed to the two Kindel has in the WHL. As a result, Zonnon will have AHL eligibility in 2026-27 if he plays at least 25 games this season.
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