The NHL and the NHL Players Association have reached a one-summer trial agreement amending the collective bargaining agreement to allow for limited on-ice training from coaching staff in the off-season, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Thursday.
Starting this summer, one skills coach will be allowed to participate in on-ice sessions with a player which the player must request through the NHLPA. The trial agreement is valid for one summer only.
The CBA currently stipulates, under section 15.11, that clubs are not permitted to have coaching or hockey operations staff participate in on-ice training sessions during the off-season.
In May, the Vancouver Canucks were fined $50,000 for hosting on-ice training sessions with Daniel and Henrik Sedin — who hold player development roles within the organization — for depth players Dakota Joshua and Jack Studnika which, at the time, was in violation of the CBA. Friedman reported that the penalty incurred by the Canucks will not be rescinded following this agreement.
