Rookie Card Eligibility

[mingus_md]

This idea of emergency call-ups is interesting. I find it odd that a player who plays as an emergency call-up would not be eligible for a RC, but a goalie who dresses but doesn't play is.

[jogesc2]

It must just be the way the NHLPA and the card companies decided to do things. I would think they can do whatever they like as long as both sides agree to it.

This idea of emergency call-ups is interesting. I find it odd that a player who plays as an emergency call-up would not be eligible for a RC, but a goalie who dresses but doesn't play is.

[30ranfordfan]

Exactly.

Once upon a time - NHL sets were filled with players who were still years away from making their NHL debuts. NHLPA nixed that.

As far as the NHLPA is concerned, there's a huge difference too.

If a player is signed to a two-way contract.... say he makes $600k in the NHL and only $50k in the AHL..... but then gets called up and is the backup goalie for his NHL team for two games, before being returned to the minors.

For the week, or so, he was on the roster.... he makes his NHL salary, is paying union dues, etc. He's an active NHL player, even if he didn't step on the ice.

If a player is called up from Junior (Torrie Jung being the backup for the Oilers a couple of years ago comes to mind) as an emergency callup - he's not being paid for his troubles (expenses, and probably a couple of tickets tossed for family & friends, that's it) he's not really under contract, doesn't pay dues, etc.

The players on emergency callup are no different. When Schenn had his couple of mid season games with the Kings, and was then returned to junior - I do not believe he would have been paid for his time up with the big club, and that time didn't count against his entry level status. Once the emergency had passed.... he was required to be returned to junior.

It's all about contract status (the difference between the two).

Why the NHLPA insisted on these rules, not really sure.

It must just be the way the NHLPA and the card companies decided to do things. I would think they can do whatever they like as long as both sides agree to it.

[mingus_md]

Thanks for the info. It was very informative and now everything makes sense to me.

Exactly.

Once upon a time - NHL sets were filled with players who were still years away from making their NHL debuts. NHLPA nixed that.

As far as the NHLPA is concerned, there's a huge difference too.

If a player is signed to a two-way contract.... say he makes $600k in the NHL and only $50k in the AHL..... but then gets called up and is the backup goalie for his NHL team for two games, before being returned to the minors.

For the week, or so, he was on the roster.... he makes his NHL salary, is paying union dues, etc. He's an active NHL player, even if he didn't step on the ice.

If a player is called up from Junior (Torrie Jung being the backup for the Oilers a couple of years ago comes to mind) as an emergency callup - he's not being paid for his troubles (expenses, and probably a couple of tickets tossed for family & friends, that's it) he's not really under contract, doesn't pay dues, etc.

The players on emergency callup are no different. When Schenn had his couple of mid season games with the Kings, and was then returned to junior - I do not believe he would have been paid for his time up with the big club, and that time didn't count against his entry level status. Once the emergency had passed.... he was required to be returned to junior.

It's all about contract status (the difference between the two).

Why the NHLPA insisted on these rules, not really sure.

[Powerforward]

Exactly.

Once upon a time - NHL sets were filled with players who were still years away from making their NHL debuts. NHLPA nixed that.

Ah yes, the days when World Junior Players had rookie cards in Upper Deck sets. Pavel Bure, Selanne, Paul Kariya and Felix Potvin come to mind. Eric Lindros in the 90-91 Score set.