I generally understand the process for the teams’ draft order, but clueless about the players’ side. Like how are players selected for the drafting list, are professional players with expired contracts eligible for that list, can teams just sign contracts with players before or without going through the draft etc.?
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The draft is only for new players, usually having just finished whatever amount of college sports they are playing (though the NHL drafts players early and lets them continue amateur play). Bad teams pick first, as a way to distribute the talent more evenly throughout the league. Generally, you can only play for the team that drafts you until the end of your first contract.
Players whose contracts expire can choose their team and contract, though there are some rules governing that as well (restricted free agents can be offered the same contract terms their own team as another and be forced to take it).
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