OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - WHA

Adam B · 08-10-2020, 02:21 PM

I think you're mistaken on how the WHA-NHL merger worked.

It wasn't so much a merger as a Hostile Takeover. The WHA couldn't survive, but the NHL wasn't going to let teams come in a essentially be better than half or more of the NHL teams already. So teams that had claims on players (ie: drafted or rights held), reverted back to their NHL teams. WHA teams were allowed to protect 2 players, and a couple of side agreements (like Bobby Hull and Gordie Howe) were made.

But all-in-all, each team was robbed of their players, and then to top if off the NHL gave them the last 4 selections in the the entry draft rounds. It became who could rebuild the fastest. Had Hull not been injured and 40+ (I think he played like 14 games for the Jets in the NHL? - Still bugs me that Arizona retired his number for this reason...especially since the NHL likes to pretend the WHA didn't exist), maybe the Jets could have become better faster.

But alas, the Merger/Expansion/Takeover was unique and likely won't happen again. Firing everyone is the easiest way to replicate it, and you can sign 2 of your players I believe.

08-10-2020, 02:21 PM	#2
Adam B Hockey Community Manager Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: A Hockey Rink Posts: 2,605	I think you're mistaken on how the WHA-NHL merger worked. It wasn't so much a merger as a Hostile Takeover. The WHA couldn't survive, but the NHL wasn't going to let teams come in a essentially be better than half or more of the NHL teams already. So teams that had claims on players (ie: drafted or rights held), reverted back to their NHL teams. WHA teams were allowed to protect 2 players, and a couple of side agreements (like Bobby Hull and Gordie Howe) were made. But all-in-all, each team was robbed of their players, and then to top if off the NHL gave them the last 4 selections in the the entry draft rounds. It became who could rebuild the fastest. Had Hull not been injured and 40+ (I think he played like 14 games for the Jets in the NHL? - Still bugs me that Arizona retired his number for this reason...especially since the NHL likes to pretend the WHA didn't exist), maybe the Jets could have become better faster. But alas, the Merger/Expansion/Takeover was unique and likely won't happen again. Firing everyone is the easiest way to replicate it, and you can sign 2 of your players I believe.