Every NHL free agency, free agent lists pop up all over the internet. If the online hockey community is like my face in Sophomore year, then lists with unexplained terms like “group 2” or “group 6 free agents” are the zits. Much like in my already tired zit analogy, I was confused and frightened at the terminology. But I have my high school degree now, my skin is (mostly) clear, and I dove into the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement for answers. The result is this, my NHL Player Status Master Sheet.

Each summary starts with the very basics, but eventually succumbs to the seductive minutia of NHL legalities. With each assertion I have the relevant article(s) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement listed.

The only thing you need to know going in is that when I refer to players’ age, it means their age as of the start of the next NHL season (which is what the CBA uses).

Part 1: Rookies

Group 1 Players and Free Agents

Part 2: Restricted Free Agents

Group 2 Players and Free Agents

Group 4 Free Agents (Defected Players)

Part 3: Unrestricted Free Agents

Group 3 Players and Free Agents

Group 5 Free Agents

Group 6 Players and Free Agents