Introduction
Future considerations are a common term in the world of sports, especially in the NHL. It is a concept that allows teams to make trades with conditional elements that will be determined at a later date. In this article, we will delve into what future considerations mean in the NHL and how they are utilized in the league.
What are Future Considerations?
Future considerations refer to a type of agreement made between two NHL teams during a trade. These considerations are typically used when the teams cannot agree on the final terms of the trade at the time of the transaction.
Instead of holding up the deal, the teams agree to a future consideration, which is a promise to provide something of value to the other team at a later date. This could be a player, draft pick, or even cash.
Examples of Future Considerations
-
Team A trades Player X to Team B for future considerations. The specific future considerations may be outlined in the trade agreement, or they may be left open-ended until a later date.
-
Team A trades a draft pick to Team B with the condition that if the pick falls within a certain range, Team A will receive an additional draft pick from Team B as future consideration.
Case Studies
One notable example of future considerations in the NHL is the trade between the Ottawa Senators and the San Jose Sharks in 2018. The Senators traded Erik Karlsson to the Sharks for a package of players and draft picks, with the condition that the Senators would receive an additional first-round pick if the Sharks re-signed Karlsson after the season.
This trade exemplifies how future considerations can be utilized to add an extra layer of complexity to a trade and incentivize certain outcomes.
Statistics on Future Considerations
According to NHL trade data, future considerations are a relatively common aspect of trades in the league. In the 2020-2021 season alone, there were over 20 trades that involved future considerations, highlighting their importance in facilitating transactions between teams.
Conclusion
Future considerations play a crucial role in NHL trades, allowing teams to complete deals with conditional elements that will be resolved in the future. They provide flexibility and creativity in structuring trades and can lead to exciting outcomes for both parties involved.
