Jérémy Groleau has signed a new contract with the New Jersey Devils.

He is 18 and playing in the CHL. I’m so curious how a team can just sign him? He wasn’t drafted this year but he could go back into the draft next year and get drafted (akin to Sean Durzi, passed over in 17, drafted by Leafs in 18 after his age 19 season. Can anyone break this down for me?

Because he wasn’t even draftable 2 months ago, spending a 3y ELC contract slot seems a bit much. Wait to see how 2018/19 goes for him then take him in the 2019 entry draft (and sign him then or wait another year for him to develop to make a decision).

took me a bit of digging through the CBA, but, in Section 8.9.b.iii:

No Player shall be eligible for play in the League unless he had been eligible for claim in the last Entry Draft, but was unclaimed, and had played hockey in North America the prior season and was under age 20 at the time of the last Entry Draft, and signed an SPC which was signed and registered with the League between the conclusion of the Entry Draft and commencement of the Major Juniors season (except that if such Player had signed an NHL try-out form, which was signed and registered with the League during the aforesaid time period, then the deadline for signing and registering with the League an SPC with such try-out Club shall be the commencement of the NHL Season).

This clause, I think, is what allows players who went undrafted but are still draft-eligible to sign with teams. Recent examples include Jordy Bellerive and Alex D'Orio for the Penguins, Vladislav Kotkov for the Sharks, Déreck Baribeau for the Wild, Kaden Fulcher for the Red Wings, Kyle Keyser for the Bruins, Parker Kelly for the Senators, and Yegor Zamula for the Flyers.