Mike from The Ice Garden and Eleni, a player agent and partner of Cook Stark Hockey, discuss the far-from-transparent nature of restricted free agency in women's hockey. They dive into how restricted free agency and other contracts might work if there is an expansion draft, and discuss what money is guaranteed when a player signs a standard player agreement (SPA). In other words, what happens when a player who signed a SPA becomes a reserve player?

Checking the Box is co-hosted by player agent and partner of Cook Stark Hockey, Eleni Demestihas and The Ice Garden Managing Editor and owner, Mike Murphy. Checking the Box will be a monthly (roughly) PWHL and pro women's hockey-centric pod offering unique perspectives from behind the glow of a laptop screen and the agent's desk.