Making trades in the NHL isn't that simple. The negotiating that goes back and forth can take weeks, with general managers trying to create the best deal possible.
Now, imagine trying to negotiate a deal for a player who needs to give his approval for a trade. A couple more headaches are in store, for sure.
That is the case with some NHL players, and it has already had an impact on the 2022 trade deadline. Certain NHL contracts have no-trade clauses built into them, meaning a player needs to waive the clause for a trade to be completed.
Players like Claude Giroux and Mark Giordano had certain teams that they wanted to go to, and because of their no-trade clauses they were able to make that happen.
Understanding what goes into a no-trade clause is a bit of a complicated process, but The Sporting News has you covered ahead of Monday's trade deadline.
MORE: Mark Giordano trade grades: Maple Leafs improve on defense without giving up 1st-round pick
What is a no-trade clause?
A no-trade clause is a provision in a contract that states a team cannot trade a player without said player first giving his consent.
A player can submit to management a list of teams he would accept a trade to or a list of teams he would not accept a trade to. That is known as a modified no-trade clause. It is not technically part of the contract, but rather an agreement between the player and the team's front office.
Someone who has just a no-trade clause can be placed on waivers, be sent down to the AHL or have his contract bought out.
What is a no-movement clause?
A no-movement clause is similar to a no-trade clause in that a player must grant permission for a trade, but the same conditions apply to waiving the player or sending him to the AHL. Essentially, the player must approve any action that would take him off the team's NHL roster.
Some players will have a modified no-trade clause and a no-movement clause in their contracts, meaning that there are some teams the player can be traded to without his consent.
What players are eligible for these clauses?
A player is eligible to have one of the clauses included in his contract if he has played in seven seasons or is over the age of 27, whichever is the first to occur.
If a player is not eligible for these conditions at the time he signs his contract, these causes may be built into the deal in those seasons that the player would be eligible.
Which remaining trade targets have no-trade clauses?
Marc-Andre Fleury (10-team no-trade list)
UPDATE: Fleury was traded to the Wild
Fleury is the most sought-after goalie at the deadline, but he will pick where he wants to go. Not only does he carry the 10-team no-trade clause, but the Blackhawks have been adamant that even if a team that is not one of the 10 wants to trade for "Flower," he needs to give the OK.
The 37-year-old already has three Stanley Cups to his name and will be a free agent this coming offseason. Will he earn a fourth by the end of this season?
Phil Kessel (Eight-team trade list)
Kessel's contract lists a lot of teams he can't be traded to without his permission, 24 in fact. That means there are only eight teams the Coyotes can move him to without needing him to waive the no-trade clause.
However, it's likely the 34-year-old winger will waive the clause to facilitate a trade to almost any team. The pending free agent would be a great forward depth addition for a team eyeing a run in the playoffs.
Sean Monahan (10-team no-trade list)
Monahan has a 10-team no-trade list, and while it's not definite that he'll be moved, there have been rumors the Flames could be looking for a team to take on his contract. He has one more year remaining on his deal at $6.125 million.
At one point, Monahan looked like he was the Flames' top center for the foreseeable future. Instead, injuries have derailed his career in Calgary and he's playing bottom-six minutes.
Jeff Petry (15-team no-trade list)
Petry is another Montreal defenseman who could be on the move (following Ben Chiarot). He still has three years left on his deal at $6.25 million a year, but with the Canadiens sitting at the bottom of the league standings, he could be sold off for draft assets and prospects.
But Petry has a 15-team no-trade clause in his contract, so the Canadiens' trade options are cut about in half.
Semyon Varlamov (16-team no-trade list)
One of a select few goaltenders who could be moved at the deadline, Varlamov has had a down season with the Islanders and is now stuck as the backup to rising star Ilya Sorokin.
He has one more year left on his deal at a $5 million cap hit, so he's an option for a team that's looking for stability in net. But because he has the 16-team no-trade clause, he needs to approve a trade to half the league.
