On players weaponizing their NTCs to get a specific team
Ben Pope: NHLPA assistant director Ron Hainsey said that “things go in cycles,” when referring to the trend of players using their no-trade clauses to force a specific trade destination. Hainsey added:
“Two years ago, we had multiple players with no-trade clauses get waived and put on teams that were on their no-trade lists, right?
There’s all these things within the system that at times work the players, at times work for the teams… Things are in good shape. I’m not certain there’s this five-alarm fire based on things that have happened in the last couple months.”
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The players are delighted that the NHL salaries continue to rise
OverDrive: Mike Johnson, when asked about the rising salaries this offseason. Cale Makar and Luke Hughes haven’t signed their extension, which will reset the top dollar for defensemen. Some players are starting to go the Auston Matthews route and doing five years out of their entry-level deals.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Host: “Mike, we’ve been talking a lot through the show today about the, the newly and highly paid Macklin Celebrini. I love where these contracts are going in hockey right now. I love the power that players seem to be having in these salaries being driven up.
And of course, the question goes to what’s next, when you look at (Cale) Makar and (Quinn) Hughes and (Nikita) Kucherov. When you look at some of the next big deals coming up, do you, do you expect to see a lot of this momentum continue? And what’s the buzz like around the league among players too, when you see these numbers?
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Johnson: “I mean the players are delighted. Like, we went for what 15 years from like the ‘o3, before the lockout, until like ’18 before someone made more than $11, $12 million again. Like, that’s what guys were making, that’s what Doug Weight was making in 2003. That’s what Connor McDavid made in whatever he, you know, 10 years ago. So it taken a long time to get here.
Although, I will say this about Macklin, who deserves every cent, a couple things stand out. One, he alluded to the fact that he would be taking less, or be willing to take less, to help his team. Don’t feel like he left a whole lot on the table in this one, nor should he. But like, okay, that’s good.
And also this idea, and I think every young player is going to do this, and sort of following the lead that Auston Matthews set by going shorter term. Not specifically to get more money, but to get more flexibility. Because (Connor) Bedard, the Leo Carlsson offer sheet, Celebrini; you sign five years, you turn UFA at 26. and yeah, you can go get more money if there’s more money out there. But more importantly, I think for players, you can pick whatever team you want to go to, depending on how your team currently is doing.
So, I think it’s all heading in the right direction. I am curious, I don’t think he’ll be the highest paid, actually, I don’t know. What do you guys think? Is Makar going to take it over Celebrini? I don’t think he will. I think that the, the downward drag of of (Nathan) McKinnon’s contract, would make it more difficult for Makar to walk and say, “Of course he deserves 22 (million), but he’s not going to get it because McKinnon makes 13 (million). And I think Makar be like, “I don’t know, it’d be weird to walk in there. Makar can probably say, “I’ll get paid whatever Hughes gets paid,’ which is going to be 17 (million). maybe? Something like that, and, and maybe a bit more.
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But yeah, I think those guys will sign, but I don’t think anyone’s getting the max yet, guys. Until Connor McDavid, if he re-signs in Edmonton, ever, after this contract, he will have every right to take 20% of the salary cap every year until he retires.”
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