No-trade and no-movement clauses aren’t being used as they were originally intended to
Sportsnet: Gary Bettman was on the FAN Hockey Show and was asked about no-trade and no-movement clauses and whether it might be something that could become an issue down the road. It’s something they’ll keep an eye on, as it’s not always being used as it was originally intended to.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Mike Futa: “You talk about the 10,000 feet, and it’s certainly not anything that’s on the league. But when you see from a distance, like the people talk about no movement clauses, and now there’s certain, forget the specifics of it, but, you know, there’s some places these players have no-movement clauses, but they still want to be moved in. And on top of it, there’s specific places like these are the three venues, whatever I want to be moved to. Is that a bit of a concern? I mean, it’s not something that could be renegotiated. Is that a bit of concern?
Bettman. As I look at what happened or is happening now, I don’t think that’s a good thing. I don’t think it’s good for the player. I don’t think it’s good for the club. And I don’t think it’s good for fans watching and their connection to the game.
The no-trade clause was originally put in place for the following situation: You’re going to sign a long-term contract to be in a place you want to be. Maybe you’re giving a hometown discount, and you wanted to make sure that you could be where you wanted to be, and where you were signing up to be.
This notion now, where a) you can select where you want to go to, and b) you can demand the trade, that was never the original intention. And you know, if this becomes a problem, I don’t think one offseason a problem makes. But if this becomes a problem, it’s something we’re going to have to discuss with the players’ association.
Because while it may be good for a player in a particular case, although based on what we’re witnessing now, I’m not so sure it’s good for the player either. But we have to look at what’s good for the game, good for the players overall, good for the for the league, and so it’s something we’re going to keep an eye on.
But I think we’ve gotten past the way no-trade clauses were originally intended.
Matt Marchese: “Part of that is the fact that there are players, and this is not just American players, there are some Canadian players that don’t want to play in Canadian markets. I get it. It’s not for everyone.
But it’s also become very public that players don’t want to play, certain players don’t want to play in Canada. Between that and the perceived issue with the tax situation, do you view this as a as a disadvantage for teams that are helping, you know, prop up revenues for the entire league.
Bettman: “Well, I’m not sure I understand what you mean by propping up revenues for the league. There are plenty of high-tax jurisdictions where players want to play in the United States. You know, starting with New York and California.
The Winnipeg Jets – Connor Hellebuyck Saga Continues
But at the end of the day, first and foremost, I think players want to play for a good organization where they think they have a chance to win. I think beyond that, I think they want to play in a place where they want to live, raise a family, quality of Life, yes. In some jurisdictions, the taxes may be higher in Canada, but by the same token, players get paid in U.S. dollars when they play in Canada, and there’s an economic benefit to that.
And so, I think it’s more case by case, and what suits the individual needs. You know, Brady Tkachuk wanted to play with his brother. Okay, you know, those things happen. Some players may not feel comfortable in a certain locale. That happens as well.
But at the end of the day, I think players want to win and they want to play for a good organization, and that trumps everything else.”
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