Newly signed draft picks can join teams for Phase 3 and 4 activities
Should teams sign draft picks for the 2019-20 season in order to burn of a year of their entry-level contracts, they will be allowed to participate with their respective teams in Phase 3 and 4 of the NHL's Return to Play program. This means they can join their teams for training camps as well as join them in their bubbles in either Toronto or Edmonton.
"[Minnesota Wild] GM Bill Guerin says the NHL has ruled that Kirill Kaprizov, if signed for 2019-20, can come for Phase 3 and 4 and can skate in Phase 3 and 4 practices. He would go with the team to Edmonton and be part of the 31 players," Michael Russo of The Athletic posted to Twitter.
Those players would still not be able to play in the play-ins or playoffs, however. It would also use up a roster spot that would not be able to be used by a player that can play should the team face injuries once the games begin on August 1st. Teams are allowed to bring in a total of 31 players into their bubbles.
Other players that could be impacted by this include defenceman Alexander Romanov of the Montreal Canadiens and goaltender Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders. The NHL recently stated those players could be signed to their entry level contracts now and a year used for 2019-20 in order to make it more attractive for them to leave the KHL. Kaprizov, Romanov and Sorokin could all make more money in Russia than they would with the maximum amount for NHL ELCs. The ability to take part in training camps and practices would be a huge boost for those players when it comes to getting used to NHL ice, as well as bonding with their teammates in advance of the 2020-21 season.
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Colton Parayko (55) plays the puck and Team United States forward Brock Nelson (29) defends in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/665398.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Colton Parayko (55) plays the puck and Team United States forward Brock Nelson (29) defends in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.")
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MAY 11, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Martin Necas | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Ross Colton | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nazem Kadri | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Parker Kelly | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nathan MacKinnon | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brock Nelson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nico Sturm | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Danila Yurov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jack Drury | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Brock Faber | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Quinn Hughes | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nicolas Roy | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Vladimir Tarasenko | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Ahcan | - | - | - | |
| Mackenzie Blackwood | - | - | - | |
| Zach Bogosian | - | - | - | |
| Matthew Boldy | - | - | - | |
| Brent Burns | - | - | - | |
| Marcus Foligno | - | - | - | |
| Nick Foligno | - | - | - | |
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