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144-ltp

Lifetimepool Rules and Regulations

144-ltp

Last Updated: [January 19, 2026]
Status: Active Rule Set
Previous Official Rule Set (Archive): Draft Day Agenda, Updated Rules & Fees (2007) [link]

Lifetimepool is a long-running fantasy hockey keeper league built around franchise ownership, long-term roster management, and league tradition. These rules govern league operations, scoring, transactions, ownership, expansion, and playoff competition.

1) League Overview

  1. Lifetimepool is a lifelong keeper league where players remain exclusive to the franchise that drafts them unless they are traded, sold, or released.

  2. League competition is based on cumulative NHL regular season scoring using the scoring and roster rules outlined below.

  3. The league exists to crown:

    • the Lifetimepool Regular Season Champion

    • the Lifetimepool Playoff Cup Champion


2) Governance (League CBA)

Lifetimepool is governed by a collective agreement between team owners.

2.1 Rule Changes

  • Rule changes may only be proposed during the offseason.

  • Approval requires a 60% vote of active owners.

2.2 Disputes and Interpretation

  • Disputes are resolved by league vote where required.

  • Approval threshold: 60%

  • If a situation is not covered by the rulebook, it becomes a league vote item.


3) Entry Fees and Prize Structure

3.1 Annual League Fees

  • $150 per team per season

    • $130 Regular Season

    • $20 Playoff Cup

  • Payment is due on Draft Day.

3.2 Prize Payouts (Based on 12 Teams)

Total Pool: $1,800

Regular Season Pool: $1,560

  • 1st Place: $930 (60%)

  • 2nd Place: $460 (30%)

  • 3rd Place: $170 (10%)

Playoff Cup Pool: $240

  • Playoff Cup Champion: $240


4) Rosters

4.1 Roster Limits

  • Original roster size: 30 players + 3 goalies

4.2 Minimum Active Requirements

  • Teams must maintain at least:

    • 19 total players

    • including at least 1 goalie


5) Scoring System

Lifetimepool uses a simple NHL-based points system.

5.1 Skaters (Forwards + Defense)

  • Goal: 1 point

  • Assist: 1 point

5.2 Goalies

  • Win: 2 points

  • Overtime Loss (OTL): 1 point

5.3 Scoring Lineup (Counted Points)

League scoring is calculated using the best totals from:

  • 12 forwards

  • 6 defensemen

  • 1 goalie

All other players are reserves.

5.4 Tie Breakers

In the event of a tie in standings:

  1. Add the 13th forward points

  2. Add the 14th forward points

  3. Continue adding reserve player points until resolved


6) Entry Draft (Draft Picks, Drops, and Eligibility)

6.1 Player Eligibility

Any player may be drafted, regardless of:

  • age

  • league

  • country

6.2 Draft Picks

  • Each team receives 5 draft picks per season (unless modified by trades)

  • Draft order is based on the previous season standings:

    • Last place drafts first

    • First place drafts last

6.3 Draft Drops (Mandatory Release Rule)

For each draft pick owned, a team must release (“drop”) one player into the public pool prior to or during draft operations.

This is a core league mechanism that keeps roster management competitive and strategic.

6.4 Goalie Draft Restriction

A goalie may only be drafted if a goalie is released from that team’s roster.

7) Draft Day Operations

  1. Teams have 3 minutes per selection

  2. If a selection is not made in time:

    • the pick is deferred and made at the end of the draft, OR

    • handled by the league administrator (depending on the draft format that year)

  3. Teams unable to attend draft day must complete roster updates post-draft using:

    • remaining draft selections (if applicable)

    • undrafted player list


8) Trades

8.1 Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is set annually using one of the following:

  • NHL All-Star weekend puck drop, OR

  • an agreed standard date (recommended)

A league-standardized deadline is strongly encouraged for fairness and tradition.

8.2 Trade Submission

All parties must confirm the trade with the league administrator. Trades are not official until confirmed.

8.3 Trade Review and Veto Process

  • Trades are posted as Pending for 3 days

  • Any GM may request a veto vote

  • A 60% vote is required to overturn a trade

8.4 Points

All player points transfer with the player at time of trade (full season total continues under the new franchise).

9) Player Sales (Offseason)

  1. Player sales are permitted only during the offseason

  2. A 10% league transaction fee is applied to all player sales

  3. Transaction fees are applied to league funds and/or prize structure (typically to the 1st place fund)


10) Franchise Ownership and Team Sales

10.1 Selling a Team

A team may only be transferred to an approved buyer.

  • Requires a 60% league approval vote

  • League may evaluate buyer commitment and long-term fit


11) Expansion Rules

11.1 Expansion Approval

New teams must apply and receive 60% approval from active owners.

11.2 Expansion Options

Option 1 (Expansion Draft):

  • $200 entry fee

  • Existing teams protect:

    • up to 20 skaters

    • 2 goalies

  • All unprotected players become available to the expansion franchise

Option 2 (No Expansion Draft):

  • No entry fee

  • Expansion franchise builds through:

    • entry draft selections

    • undrafted player pool


12) Lifetimepool Playoff Cup

12.1 Playoff Cup Roster Selection

Each qualifying franchise selects:

  • 6 forwards

  • 4 defensemen

  • 1 goalie

12.2 Playoff Cup Scoring

Same scoring as regular season.

12.3 Tie Breakers

Same tie-break procedure as regular season.

13) Disciplinary Actions

Teams engaging in actions that undermine fairness or integrity may be subject to league penalties including:

  • forfeiture of draft position

  • forfeiture of picks

  • trade reversal (in extreme cases)

  • other action determined by league vote


14) Exiting the League

14.1 Auction Exit

Exiting team selects 3 players for auction.

  • Auction proceeds go to the exiting owner

  • minus 10% league fee

14.2 Team Sale

A franchise may be sold/transferred with league approval (60%).

14.3 Death Clause

In the event of death of an owner:

  • the league assumes interim control of the franchise

  • the league recruits and approves a new owner


15) Grandfathered / Legacy Rules

Lifetimepool maintains a league history dating back to 2001.

Notable legacy rules include:

  • 2001 inaugural season: snake draft and original roster setup

  • 2006 goalie update: weighted goalie draft / restrictions implemented to protect competitive balance

Legacy rules may remain in effect where not superseded by current rules.

16) External / Third-Party Income

If income is generated outside of league operations (advertising, sponsorship, merchandise, etc.), distribution will be determined by league vote (60%) for purposes such as:

  • prize pool enhancement

  • infrastructure costs

  • direct owner payouts

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