NHL Free Agents: The 27-or-Seven Benchmark

A reader writers:

What's the deal with free agents these days? it used to be that a player had to be 31 years old before he was free to sign anywhere. But the rules changed because Bouwmeester is only 25 and he's already a free agent.
- Carmen, Oakland, CA

The rules have indeed changed, dating back to the collective agreement that ended the NHL lockout in 2005.

Starting in 2005, the age of free agency began dropping until it reached the current benchmark.

To figure out when an NHL player can seek his fortune on the open market, keep one simple phrase in mind: 27-or-seven.

If he's 27 years old, or has at least seven years of NHL service, he's free to move when his contract expires.

Jay Bouwmeester began his career in 2002, jumping directly from junior hockey to the NHL. As of 2009, he's reached the seventh-season benchmark, and is mulling his options.

(The CBA counts 2004-05 as a "year of service," even though the season was killed by the lockout.)

A guy like Mike Komisarek, on the other hand, spent some time in the minors. So he had to wait longer. But this year he hit the magical age of 27. So back up the Brinks truck.