Nabokov Situation/Waiver Claims in General

[shooter27 116]

There is something I don't understand about the whole Nabokov/Red Wings/Islanders situation. Nabokov was a free agent, free to sign with whatever team for whatever amount of money he wanted. He signed in the KHL, so he never signed an NHL contract and is still a free agent. He then leaves the KHL and signs with Detroit. Why does he have to go through re-entry waivers at that point? I thought waivers were related to players on one-way contracts being sent down or brought up from the minors. So why does a player that is a free agent, has no connection to any team, have to go through re-entry waivers just because he signed a contract in Europe? Signing a contract in Europe doesn't connect him to an NHL team so I don't understand why the waiver rules apply Maybe its a stupid question, but something about that just sounds like a screwed up procedure to me.

[shooter27 116]

Despite the "screwed up procedure" that you believe it to be, there's this thing called the Collective Bargaining Agreement, or CBA. Perhaps you've heard of it?

Well, the waiver rule that is in place for players coming over from Europe in the middle of a season was agreed upon by both parties and therefore put into the CBA, no different than the salary cap, per diem rates, moving expenses when trades, etc.

No different than Kyle Wellwood or Marek Svatos, who went through the same waiver process and having been claimed by teams in which they DID NOT agree to the free agent contract. The major difference is that BOTH players reported to the teams that claimed them while Nabby is rotting away and allowing the Islanders to toll his contract going forward into 2011-12 season.

I fully understand that its in the CBA and it was negotiated, my question is why its in there to begin with. Which party wanted it in the CBA and why? To me it seems to benefit European teams (keeps the NHL from poaching players mid-season) more than it does either of the parties to the CBA (players or owners). European teams don't have any restrictions related to poaching players from the NHL (or more realistically players that are NHL property in the AHL/ECHL) so why would the NHL put in restrictions on poaching players from Europe?

The question really isn't about Nabokov, thats just the most recent example, its a general question.

[ibeck 38]

It's in place so NHL teams can't load up on euro players at seasons ends for a long playoff run.

[chk hrd 164]

If Nabokov didn't play any proffesional hockey this season he would not have been put on waivers. Because he played for the KHL he has to go on waivers just like any othr NHL player.

[ibeck 38]

If Nabokov didn't play any proffesional hockey this season he would not have been put on waivers. Because he played for the KHL he has to go on waivers just like any othr NHL player.

example Forseberg didn't have to clear waivers.