The behind-the-scenes parts of hockey can be complicated sometimes.
As a result, we've created a series of primers hoping to explain some of those concepts. So far we've covered contract types, the waiver system, long-term injured reserve, and the trade deadline.
Today, we take a look at no-trade and no-movement clauses. How do they work? Who has them?
WHAT IS A NO-TRADE CLAUSE?
A player with a full no-trade clause cannot be traded, unless he chooses to waive the clause. The player is, however, allowed to be placed on waivers, re-assigned to the AHL, or have his contract bought out.
Some no-trade clauses are modified, and the types of modified no-trade clauses vary from player to player. Some players must submit a pre-determined number of teams they will accept a trade to if they are asked. In other modified no-trade clauses, players must submit a pre-determined number of teams they will not accept a trade to if they are asked.
The lists of teams to which a player will or will not accept a trade do not exist ahead of time. The lists of teams themselves are not a part of a player's contract. A player creates the list when he is asked to by management.
In no-trade and modified no-trade clauses, if the player does not submit a list of teams in the specified time frame after being asked, he can be traded anywhere.
If a player chooses to waive a no-trade or modified no-trade clause, it is only for that specific situation. If he does get traded, the clause carries with them to the new team.
Under the last CBA, if a player was traded to a new team before a contract with the clause takes effect, the new team did not have to recognize the clause. Under the CBA that came after the 2020 shutdown, that rule was changed. Now, no-trade and no-move clauses travel with a player regardless, even if they have not kicked in yet. The acquiring team cannot void the clause.
WHAT IS A NO-MOVEMENT CLAUSE?
A no-movement clause means a player can not be traded, waived, or sent to the minor-leagues without his consent. In the event of an expansion draft, a team is obligated to protect a player with this clause unless the player waives that right, as Marc-Andre Fleury did in the Golden Knights' expansion draft.
No-movement clauses do not protect a player from having their contract bought out.
CAN ANYONE HAVE AN NTC OR NMC?
No. A player is eligible for one of these clauses only if he has played in seven seasons or is over 27 years of age, whichever comes first. A player who has not yet met those conditions is eligible to sign a contract extension with a clause written into future seasons when the player would be eligible.
WHO ON THE PENGUINS HAS A NMC OR NTC?
(updated prior to 2021-22 season)
Only two players -- Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin -- have full no-movement clauses. They aren't going anywhere unless they give their consent, for the duration of their contracts. Crosby's contract runs through 2025, Malkin's runs through 2022.
Kris Letang has a modified no-trade, no-movement clause. Letang must submit a list of 18 teams he can be traded to if asked. The clauses are for the duration of his contract, which expires in 2022.
Jason Zucker has a modified no-trade clause for the duration of his contract, which expires after the 2022-23 season. If asked, he must submit a list of 10 teams he would not accept a trade to.
Brian Dumoulin has a modified no-trade clause for the duration of his contract, which expires after the 2022-23 season. If asked, he must submit a list of 10teams he would not accept a trade to.
Mike Matheson has a modified no-trade clause for the duration of his contract, which expires after the 2025-26 season. If asked, he must submit a list of eight teams he would not accept a trade to.
Some Penguins players have no-trade or no-movement clauses that are written into later years of their contracts but are not currently in effect. These players are eligible to be traded before the clause kicks in, and the new team would still have to honor the clause:
Jake Guentzel has a modified no-trade clause for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, the final years of his current contract. At that time, he will be able to submit a list of 12 teams he would not accept a trade to.
Marcus Pettersson has a modified no-trade clause for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, the final years of his current contract. At that time, he will be able to submit a list of eight teams he would not accept a trade to.
John Marino has a modified no-trade clause for the 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 seasons, the final years of his current contract. At that time, he will be able to submit a list of eight teams he would not accept a trade to.
