The past week has seen a lot of debate about NHL contracts with "no trade" clauses. Much of the focus has been on the Toronto Maple Leafs where management has decided to rebuild by unloading expensive contracts but the players don't seem to want to go along with that plan. For the moment the players have the upper hand because 5 (Mats Sundin, Darcy Tucker, Bryan McCabe, Pavel Kubina, Tomas Karberle) out of the 6 biggest contract handed out by the team have no trade provisions.
In fact, over 100 players in the NHL have no trade contracts and quite a number would have moved before the trading deadline if only they had agreed to a trade. For example, Ottawa tried to trade Wade Redden but he also refused. In fact, the only player who changed teams this week with a no trade contract was Brad Richards.
Fans are puzzled by the players' attitude and as always the media leads the charge by making all types of outrageous accusation targeted at both management and players. There is a general misconception about no trade contracts.
Most people think that players ask for them so they can control where they play. But it goes beyond that. Players ask for them because once they have decided to play for a team, they don't want to move. As players reach the age where they can become unrestricted free agents, they typically are married with young children. A trade throws their family life into turmoil. While the player is off making money, the spouse and kids are developing roots in the community.
When you are young, you dream of winning a Stanley Cup for your hometown team. However, if you are fortunate enough to become a professional athlete, reality sets in and its about earning a good living over a short career to set yourself and your family up for life. It's all about the paycheck. A guaranteed contract with a no trade provision is as secure as working for the government only with better pay.
Winning a championship is nice but not necessary. I'm not too sure that many hockey players are motivated by the opportunity to win a Stanley Cup. That's why the Leafs' Frozen Five don't want to leave. They are perfectly happy and content here even though the team sucks. Rick DiPietro signed a 15 year contract with the Islanders last year knowing that they might miss out on the playoffs more times than get in. All types of players sign with teams knowing very well that they have no prospects of winning. But their families are the big winners. That's what its all about.
12 years ago
