Big changes on the horizon for the NHL draft which will make a significant difference

Currently, players eligible for the draft must be at least 18 years old by September 15 of the draft year but not older than 20 by December 31. If a player is 19 years old on draft day, they are also eligible unless they were previously drafted and remain unsigned.

Friedman suggested that the NHL is considering a significant change to these rules.

Under the proposed rule, only 18-year-olds would be allowed to be selected in the first round. For rounds two through seven, teams would not be permitted to draft 18-year-olds.

If approved, this could be a major shift in how the NHL draft works. Fans will be watching closely to see if the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) gives the green light to this potential change.