Off Season Bidding Rule Clarification

[Rangers GM (Steven)]

We have noticed the section of league rules has period of 2 days for bidding on FAs during off season is not the same with rules in FA guidelines which states 4 day period.

Could you clarify whether it's 2 days or 4 days with off season period on FAs?

To date, Every owner has followed the 4 day except one owner who has followed 2 day rule with Kuemper today.

[Lightning GM (Bill)]

It is pretty simple
From rules
FREE AGENCY
Free Agency Is Open All Year Except From The End Of The Fantasy Playoffs Through The Draft.


Subject: Player's Name
Message: Contract Length, Amount Per Year, And 1-Way / 2-Way Status
Only Players With NHL Experience May Be Put Up For Bid.
You Must Have An Open Roster Spot To Sign A Player.
The Opening Bid Must Be At Least 100K, And All Bids After Must Go Up By At Least 100K.
Owners Have An Unlimited Number Of Bids Per Player During The Offseason And Max 2 Bids During The Season And The Opening Bid Does Not Count As A Bid During The Season.
The Top Bid Is Total Amount (1 Year 500K > 3 Years 100K BUT 1 Year 500K < 3 Years 200K).
The Top Bid Must Remain For 4 Days To Be The Winning Bid During The Offseason And During The Season Is 24hrs.
No Player Can Be Signed And Placed In The KHL Spot.

[Dallas Stars GM (Andrew)]

Bill there is also a rule that says 2 days as well for free agency. Right now there are 2 sets of rules that’s the problem.

[Lightning GM (Bill)]

I see that now further down but since everyone else followed the 4 days at beginning of rules would it not make sense to do the same . I had winning bid for just short of 3 days then I was outbid by an illegal bid . If you haven't connected will Troy you should.

[Devils GM (Troy)(LM)]

Aug 6, 2024 14:00:29 GMT -8 Lightning GM (Bill) said:

I see that now further down but since everyone else followed the 4 days at beginning of rules would it not make sense to do the same . I had winning bid for just short of 3 days then I was outbid by an illegal bid . If you haven't connected will Troy you should.

2 day rule is for free agency during the season.

[Rangers GM (Steven)]

I thought we did 24 hours during the season last year?

[Lightning GM (Bill)]

That is why previous seasons should be archived

[Dallas Stars GM (Andrew)]

Correct 24 hours for the season

[Vancouver Canucks GM (Cooper)]

Another question, the rules state that a team must have an open roster spot to sign a player. However, I’m confused because bidding and signing players are different. Do you need a roster spot open to bid on or to just sign? If you need a roster spot open before bidding then that should be made more clear, as I’ve seen conflicting wordage used and a lack of defining them.

If I got the rule wrong then my bad, however, this is our leagues first offseason. Some of us do need to learn how to chill and understand we are all doing our best to learn these rules on the fly, and to abide by the leagues rules.

[Rangers GM (Steven)]

Last season, we discussed the open roster spot and bidding on FAs with regular season. We were told that owners could bid on FA players and drop players off roster later to allow transaction through Fantrax. So, we didn't need open roster spot to be able to bid on FA pool during regular season.

[Vancouver Canucks GM (Cooper)]

Thanks NYR. Ya, I’m really just looking for clarification on that rule instead just being told “you are wrong”

[NY Islanders GM (Daz)]

To keep it fair, I think it should be roster spot open.

Otherwise GM's can just load their roster. Bid on upgrades, if they don't win they don't lose out. But those with open spots could end up with really weak teams or paying over the odds for FA's (as GMs can bid knowing someone is desperate for a position, just to drive up their salary cap).


For instance I was interested in Allen and Garland. But didn't have roster room so didn't bid.

I'd have nothing to lose if I could just drop after. Either I get them, or I make someone overpay. Win/win for me with no risk.

[Dallas Stars GM (Andrew)]

Aug 6, 2024 15:07:39 GMT -8 Rangers GM (Steven) said:

Last season, we discussed the open roster spot and bidding on FAs with regular season. We were told that owners could bid on FA players and drop players off roster later to allow transaction through Fantrax. So, we didn't need open roster spot to be able to bid on FA pool during regular season.

These are the same rules as last year only difference is we are enforcing them this year. A lot of rules weren’t followed, last year.

[Devils GM (Troy)(LM)]

We didn't enforce the rules last year and we are set up better this year with people in spots to watch this. I can't be on all the time just like the rest of you. I have people in specific spots now to help with all this and the rules will be enforced this season.