If a player plays in a game for a professional hockey league outside the NHL once the NHL’s regular season has started, he is subject to re-entry waivers.  Them’s the rules.

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 11/05/09 at 12:33 PM ET

Does the Karjala Cup count as a ‘professional hockey league’ though? They are professional players, but it is a tournament sponsored by a beer company between participating European nations (Czechs, Russians, Swedes, and Finns), which I think is why it does not count as a ‘professional hockey league.’

Posted by SENShobo from Waterloo, ON on 11/05/09 at 12:49 PM ET

Playing for MoDo counts.  He played for MoDo Ornskoldsvik for a few games.

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 11/05/09 at 01:24 PM ET

Forsberg did play three games for MoDo, but I would imagine that if I’m mistaken, the issue involves whether he re-injured himself before the NHL’s regular season began.

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 11/05/09 at 01:34 PM ET

Correct. He played 2 games with a total of 3 goals and 1 assist.

http://www.modohockey.se/spelare_visa.cfm?id=1583&sasong=12

Therefore he would need to clear waivers as he has played in a professional league in Europe.

Posted by PRS from Philadelphia, PA on 11/05/09 at 01:35 PM ET

CBA 13.23:
“In the event a professional or former professional Player plays in a league outside
North America after the start of the NHL Regular Season, other than on Loan from his Club, he may thereafter play in the NHL during that Playing Season (including Playoffs) only if he has first either cleared or been obtained via Waivers. For the balance of the Playing Season, any such Player who has been obtained via Waivers may be Traded or Loaned only after again clearing Waivers or through Waiver claim.”

Forsberg chose to sign a contract with Modo that would end before the NHL season started in order for him to retain his right to choose which team he signed with in the NHL.  As Daly confirmed by email, the Karjala Cup does not count as “games played in a league outside N.A.” and therefore he does not have to pass through waivers.

It makes sense.  Everyone was talking about why he signed the type of contract he did with Modo (to let him choose to go to a Cup contender), so why would he then turn around and throw that away by playing in this tournament?  I am sure he and his agent are aware of the guidelines.

Again, just my opinion.

Posted by passerby on 11/05/09 at 01:53 PM ET

Anyone interested in watching the Karjala Cup game between Sweden & Czec Republic can follow the link below. Game is in 2nd intermission and Sweden is leading 4-1.
Former Wing prospect goalie Stefan Liv in net for Sweden.

http://svtplay.se/v/1667163/tre_kronor_live_tjeckien

Posted by Down River Dan on 11/05/09 at 03:03 PM ET

OK, I see where the confusion lay. He played three games for MoDo prior to the start of the NHL season but didn’t play any further Swedish Elite League games once the NHL season began. I was under the impression he’d played after the NHL season started.

As Daly and others have pointed out the Karjala Cup doesn’t count as playing in a professional league game outside the NHL during the NHL season as it’s merely an international tournament.

So Forsberg doesn’t have to pass through waivers after all. Thanks to Paul and everyone else for the clarification!

Posted by Lyle Richardson from Charlottetown, PEI, Canada on 11/05/09 at 04:19 PM ET

I thought the same thing, Lyle. 

Definitely, the Euro Hockey Tour’s tournaments don’t count as they’re international competitions…

The Emperor remains the Emperor

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 11/05/09 at 07:13 PM ET