Gary Bettman says the NHL may change rules around no-trade clauses

The NHL is entering a fascinating new era when it comes to player movement, and one of the biggest developments of the 2026 offseason has been the growing number of star players asking for trades despite having significant no-trade or no-movement protection built into their contracts.

That trend has now caught the attention of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

Speaking with the media, Bettman acknowledged that the league is “keeping an eye on” the way no-trade clauses are being used and suggested that the NHL could eventually look at changing the rules surrounding them. Bettman explained that no-trade protection was originally designed largely as a benefit for players who committed to long-term contracts with a particular organization, sometimes accepting less money in exchange for that security.

But the league is now watching to see whether that protection is evolving into something different.

"As I look at what's happening right now, I don't think it's a good thing. The no-trade clause was originally put in place... to make sure that you would be in the place you wanted to be and where you were signing up to be," Bettman told Sportsnet this morning. "

This notion now where you can select where you want to go to and you can demand a trade, that was never the original intention. So, if this becomes a problem it's something that we're going to have to discuss with the NHL Players' Association. 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."

And there have certainly been plenty of examples this year.

Brady Tkachuk is probably the clearest example. The Ottawa Senators captain had two years remaining on his seven-year, $57.5 million contract when he requested a trade following the 2025-26 season. Because of his no-movement clause, Tkachuk was able to provide Ottawa with a list of teams he would be willing to join. That process ultimately resulted in a blockbuster trade to the Florida Panthers, where he reunited with his brother Matthew.

Then there is Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings despite having five seasons remaining on the eight-year, $69.9 million contract he signed in 2023. Larkin's agent subsequently provided Detroit with a short list of teams the longtime Red Wings captain would consider waiving his no-trade clause to join.

Connor Hellebuyck has taken things even further. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender, who still has years remaining on his seven-year, $59.5 million contract, privately requested a trade months ago before making that request public in August. Hellebuyck has since missed training camp and was suspended by the Jets, making his situation one of the most unusual player-team disputes in the NHL in recent memory.

Quinn Hughes is another part of the broader conversation, although his situation is somewhat different. Hughes was traded from Vancouver to Minnesota in December and is now entering the final season of his existing contract. He has not publicly issued the same kind of trade demand as Hellebuyck or Larkin, but his contract situation and control over his future have become major storylines entering the season.

That distinction is important because the issue isn't necessarily that players are simply ignoring their contracts. In many cases, the contracts themselves give them significant control over where they can be traded.

That is precisely what appears to be catching Bettman's attention.

The NHL's collective bargaining agreement provides players with contractual trade protection, but the commissioner suggested the league will examine whether the current system still works as originally intended. Bettman emphasized that the league cannot make a determination based on one offseason, but the sheer number of high-profile situations has certainly made the issue impossible to ignore.

And that's what makes this such an intriguing development.

For decades, signing a long-term contract generally meant both sides were making a commitment. Now, we're seeing superstar players make those commitments while still retaining considerable influence over where their careers ultimately take them.

Whether that represents players gaining more control over their careers or a system that has begun to operate differently than originally intended is something the NHL and NHLPA will have to determine together.

For now, though, Bettman has made it clear that the league is watching — and if the current trend continues, the rules governing no-trade clauses could become one of the next major issues in the NHL's ongoing labour discussions.