Entry-Level Deal? PTO? What Do They Mean?

You may hear some cool phrases get thrown around, but here's a quick article on what these terms are.

Many people here in Utah are being exposed to hockey for the first time.

So when the terms "entry-level deal", "PTO", or "two-way contract" are said, it can be like learning a different language.

Thus, here's a quick rundown on these three phrases you'll hear a lot of in the next few weeks.

A two-way contract is probably the most recognizable phrase in professional sports, especially the NHL and the NBA.

What a two-way contract does, according to the Desert Sun, is it sets a salary "when (teams) expect a player to spend at least some of their season with their AHL affiliate", basically guaranteeing money wherever the player ends up during the year.

An entry-level deal in the NHL is similar to a rookie-scale contract in the NFL or NBA, with a few minor details.

The age of the player determines how long an entry-level deal is, and the maximum base pay is $950,000, not including bonuses.

The Sporting News has more here on the details of ELCs and what they entail, written before the 2023 NHL Draft.

This is the most unique contract in the NHL.

A professional tryout contract can be handed to any "unsigned veteran player" or free agent that is looking for a new home. They are limited to 25 games, which means most of these are signed during training camps for pre-season matchups.

Think of it as the first step on the road to a comeback for certain players; it certainly worked last season for Colin White, who was signed to a PTO with the Penguins before training camp then signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh prior to opening night.

As we head deeper into summer before training camp, you'll hear these terms thrown around a lot, so keep this page bookmarked!