Today the NHL announced the extension of what they’re calling Player Development Agreements, but what we usually call transfer agreements.
Transfer Agreements and a new CHL deal
These deals between the NHL and the national hockey systems and leagues in various countries involve the transfer of players (and money from the NHL) and govern the rules on the signing of drafted players and free agents. The agreements set out who can play where, when, and also how long draft rights last. The notable and continuing exception from this list of nations is Russia. Some other countries who have produced a very small number of NHL players are also not governed by an agreement.