Gary Bettman Expresses Concern About Use of No-Trade Clauses Amid Rise in NHL Trade Requests

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman isn't pleased with how players are using no-trade or no-movement clauses in order to facilitate deals to other teams.

"As I look at what's happened or is happening now, I don't think that's a good thing," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday on Sportsnet 590's FAN Hockey Show with Matt Marchese and Michael Futa. "I don't think it's good for the player, I don't think it's good for the club, I don't think it's good for fans watching and their connection to the game."

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ESPN's Greg Wyshynski provided four examples of players using their clauses in their favor.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk used a NMC to head to the Florida Panthers and play on the same team as his brother, Matthew Tkachuk.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski blocked a trade to the Dallas Stars after he reportedly told his team he had no plans to re-sign with them in 2028, when his contract runs out.

Detroit Red Wings center and captain Dylan Larkin covets a trade but initially had a list of just three locations where he was willing to go, per Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press (Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights or Florida Panthers). The team list now includes the Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman .

In addition, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has issued a trade request and has not reported to the team this year.

Bettman isn't thrilled with what he's seen and provided more commentary on the matter, per Sportsnet.

"This notion now where, a) you can select where you want to go to and b) you can demand a trade. ... That was never the original intention," Bettman said. "If this becomes a problem — I don't think one off-season a problem makes — but if this becomes a problem, it's something we're going to have to discuss with the players' association.

"While it may be good for a player in a particular case, though based on what we're seeing 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 league, and so it's something we're going to keep an eye on."

As Wyshynski noted, NHL agent Allan Walsh provided pushback on Bettman's claims.

The current collective bargaining agreement runs through the 2029-30 season. In theory, the league could bring this up to the NHLPA in negotiations a few years down the road.

In the meantime, some of the futures of the game's biggest stars remain in a holding pattern as the season begins. We'll see what happens soon enough.