Kaden Fulcher of the Hamilton Bulldogs and Kyle Keyser of the Oshawa Generals signed National Hockey League contracts yesterday with the Detroit Red Wings and the Boston Bruins respectively. Both goaltenders were eligible to re-enter the NHL Draft in June of 2018, but because they were invited to the squads on a professional tryout, the Wings and the Bruins had until 5:00 pm today to sign the goaltenders as undrafted free agents.
In a case where there is no PTO, NHL teams have until 5:00 pm on the first day of the Canadian Hockey League season to sign players as undrafted free agents.
Unconfirmed reports say the two goaltenders signed similar entry level contracts of $925,000 (the maximum allowed under the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement) and signing bonuses of $92,500 (again, the maximum allowable). Under the CBA, both are eligible to earn $10,500 per year from the Wings and Bruins while playing Major Junior, but it is unknown at this time if that was negotiated into their contract.
In my final draft rankings for 2017, Keyser was my third ranked goaltender from the OHL behind Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires (64th overall, Vancouver Canucks) and Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds (72nd overall Los Angeles Kings). Fulcher was fifth behind Jake McGrath of the Sudbury Wolves (undrafted).
You can check out my thoughts on Keyser and Fulcher from last season
