NHL Players Reportedly Bothered By Jacob Trouba Trade Saga With Rangers

[The Gr8 Dane]

The owners get to draft a player and keep him under team control for 7-8 years, notably their PRIME years.
The owners can buy out a player if they so choose.
The owners can trade or waive a player (provided he doesn't have a NMC).

I don't think the NHLPA has as much power as you think.

Yes , NHLPA is somewhere between NFL (bad player association) and MLB (strongest player association).

 

[Tawnos]

Many of these GMs sign players to long term contracts that they KNOW will not age well and the player won't be able to live up to long term. When they sign a guy to a contract that extends into their 30s, especially a guy that plays physically and has more wear and tear on their body, you know that they won't be playing to the level of their contract near the end.

Rangers fans and management knew Trouba's deal wouldn't age well when he signed it. Can't blame the players for that.

The deal also would've looked different had the cap gone up the way it was anticipated to. These 5% bumps are nicer than the $1m bumps, but the cap would've been nearing $100m right now without Covid. Those increases were expected by pretty much every long term contract signed between 2016 and 2020.

 

[thestonedkoala]

I can see the NTC going away because of this. Trouba is the worst example but still an example. As well people forget there is the actual agreement and the spirit of the agreement. And the Rangers did violate the spirit of a NTC by finding a loophole.

It seemed there was interest in Trouba even with his contract and he wouldn't have passed through waivers.

But yeah I can see how this could be buttoned up in the next discussion kind of like how Parise and Suter's contracts were fixed after they signed them.

 

[HFpapi]

I get that athletes are humans too and money doesn't solve everything but there's quite literally no city on the planet that I wouldn't move to for a few years for $8,000,000 a year. Try it, name one, I'll go. Aleppo, Pyongyang, Khartoum. For generational wealth, I can deal with it for a few years.

Limit the list of possible cities to only those hosting NHL Franchises? Just stfu dude. Shut your mouth and go.

8 mil a year to live in SoCal, are we supposed to cry for these guys? Retire if you want to stay in NYC that bad, you have the money.

 

[Ezpz]

So will we see players avoiding the rangers or the far more likely Drury gets blackballed over this.

 

[surixon]

If the owners and executives don't like that players do those things, they're also welcome to try to make some changes in the next CBA negotiation. And they've done so in the past already. That's how this all works. Both sides exploit every "loophole" they can until there are changes. A lot of the things fans complain about (like those college players wanting to choose where they play) aren't things that either side is interested in changing.

Exactly. It wouldn't surprise me if the players throw the prospects under the bus again to get more robust trade protection.

Teams hold a prospects rights until UFA for ing them to sign with their drafted team.

 

[nucks88]

Many of these GMs sign players to long term contracts that they KNOW will not age well and the player won't be able to live up to long term. When they sign a guy to a contract that extends into their 30s, especially a guy that plays physically and has more wear and tear on their body, you know that they won't be playing to the level of their contract near the end.

Rangers fans and management knew Trouba's deal wouldn't age well when he signed it. Can't blame the players for that.

I’m not referring to aged contracts- I am well aware of long term risk/ reward, I am referring to newly minted deals that age as well as mayonnaise in the Summer sun….

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I’m not referring to aged contracts- I am well aware of long term risk/ reward, I am referring to newly minted deals that age as well as mayonnaise in the Summer sun….

Ah, ok. I didn't read every post in this thread, but since this is a Trouba related thread where we are in year 6 of a 7 year deal and he'll be turning 31 this seasons, I responded with that background in mind. Newly minted deals are indeed a different situation.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I can see the NTC going away because of this. Trouba is the worst example but still an example. As well people forget there is the actual agreement and the spirit of the agreement. And the Rangers did violate the spirit of a NTC by finding a loophole.

It seemed there was interest in Trouba even with his contract and he wouldn't have passed through waivers.

But yeah I can see how this could be buttoned up in the next discussion kind of like how Parise and Suter's contracts were fixed after they signed them.

I don’t think GMs will give it up willingly. Their best interest is to keep the loophole. If the players want it gone, they’ll need to negotiate and give up something else.

 

[Mr Positive]

I suppose they are arguing that even if it isn't a NMC, that those are mostly about going to the AHL??

Seriously I don't get it. They gave Trouba an option that they did not have to give him. He could have been a Hawk or Pred right now.

Maybe they are worried that this could be abused. The issue there is that that bluff could be called if it meant losing the player with no assets back, and the possibility of an expensive player in the minors, still eating cap space

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

I suppose they are arguing that even if it isn't a NMC, that those are mostly about going to the AHL??

Seriously I don't get it. They gave Trouba an option that they did not have to give him. He could have been a Hawk or Pred right now.

Maybe they are worried that this could be abused. The issue there is that that bluff could be called if it meant losing the player with no assets back, and the possibility of an expensive player in the minors, still eating cap space

I think players are maybe pissed about how public it all was- like, no, we’re gonna blame you and get the media on your ass until you do what we want and leave.

Ya, he sucked, but it’s kinda a toxic tornado there- they overpaid him, made him captain, then have been like “wanna leave now? How ‘bout now?” every day for like a year. When he still wouldn’t waive him NTC they went to the waivers threat, so they just forced their hand in a way that feels messed up. That’s business, it’s evil, moving on..

 

[qc14]

Agents already do all that. Agents are already using whatever mechanism possible to get players where they want. Trouba already did this with Winnipeg, he held out and went public demanding out. Then limited himself to only signing with one team to impact his marketability.

Look at college kids in Gauthier and McGroarty refusing to sign to get dealt to where they want.

Players have long been exploiting every "loophole" in the CBA.

They just don't like it when a team does it to them. Imo there is nothing to see here, if the players want this sorted out then they will have to give up something for it in the next CBA.

I agree, I'm just making the point that nobody should be mad at players for doing so and if anything should sympathize with them over their bosses!

I get that athletes are humans too and money doesn't solve everything but there's quite literally no city on the planet that I wouldn't move to for a few years for $8,000,000 a year. Try it, name one, I'll go. Aleppo, Pyongyang, Khartoum. For generational wealth, I can deal with it for a few years.

Limit the list of possible cities to only those hosting NHL Franchises? Just stfu dude. Shut your mouth and go.

8 mil a year to live in SoCal, are we supposed to cry for these guys? Retire if you want to stay in NYC that bad, you have the money.

Imagine if your boss told you they wanted to send you across the country immediately on the same salary you're currently on. Then when you try to use what power you have to somewhat control that process they call up their buddy at one of the larger papers in the country to start immediately shitting on you, your performance, your leadership abilities, everything.

Pretty shitty! I certainly would be pissed

 

[thestonedkoala]

I suppose they are arguing that even if it isn't a NMC, that those are mostly about going to the AHL??

Seriously I don't get it. They gave Trouba an option that they did not have to give him. He could have been a Hawk or Pred right now.

Maybe they are worried that this could be abused. The issue there is that that bluff could be called if it meant losing the player with no assets back, and the possibility of an expensive player in the minors, still eating cap space

I think at the end of the day players are going to ask why have a NTC or a mNTC if GMs can find a way around it. Why not just have a NMC and that's it?

I get that athletes are humans too and money doesn't solve everything but there's quite literally no city on the planet that I wouldn't move to for a few years for $8,000,000 a year. Try it, name one, I'll go. Aleppo, Pyongyang, Khartoum. For generational wealth, I can deal with it for a few years.

The issue isn't just the players; it's their families. Honestly with how shit is going down in the US, I wouldn't want to live in Florida or Texas (and I live in Texas but can't get out).

As well, if I was famous I'd hate to live in LA and New York or anywhere with a huge media following as I would have zero privacy

 

[HFpapi]

I agree, I'm just making the point that nobody should be mad at players for doing so and if anything should sympathize with them over their bosses!


Imagine if your boss told you they wanted to send you across the country immediately on the same salary you're currently on. Then when you try to use what power you have to somewhat control that process they call up their buddy at one of the larger papers in the country to start immediately shitting on you, your performance, your leadership abilities, everything.

Pretty shitty! I certainly would be pissed

"The same salary you're currently on."

Yeash sorry, these hypotheticals don't hold up when you try to bring it down to regular Joe's to make them empathize.

"The same salary he's currently on" happens to be 8,000,000 a year.

There's nothing relatable about what pro athletes do. One thing that's different from what we do is they might be sent cross country on a moments notice against their will. Another thing that's different is they make 160x more than the average Joe a year to do what they do.

No one is forcing them to sign up for this. Nothing is stopping Trouba from working an office job for 65k a year.

 

[nturn06]

I get that athletes are humans too and money doesn't solve everything but there's quite literally no city on the planet that I wouldn't move to for a few years for $8,000,000 a year. Try it, name one, I'll go. Aleppo, Pyongyang, Khartoum. For generational wealth, I can deal with it for a few years.

Limit the list of possible cities to only those hosting NHL Franchises? Just stfu dude. Shut your mouth and go.

8 mil a year to live in SoCal, are we supposed to cry for these guys? Retire if you want to stay in NYC that bad, you have the money.

While that is true, there are hundreds of cities I would rather move and make $7,000,000 a year instead of making $8,000,000 in the ones you named. Which is typically the choice the player make.

Often a player decides to sign for less money (still a lot but less) just to sign in a certain city, which is why NTC/NMC are needed.

 

[HFpapi]

I think at the end of the day players are going to ask why have a NTC or a mNTC if GMs can find a way around it. Why not just have a NMC and that's it?


The issue isn't just the players; it's their families. Honestly with how shit is going down in the US, I wouldn't want to live in Florida or Texas (and I live in Texas but can't get out).

As well, if I was famous I'd hate to live in LA and New York or anywhere with a huge media following as I would have zero privacy

Then quit and don't play pro hockey? You act like they don't have choice. Quit hockey and make 65k a year being a project manager for an IT company and live where you want like us if you think that's the better option.

Getting traded comes with the territory of being a pro athlete along with the $8,000,000 a year paycheck and ability to retire in your mid 30's.

Poor athletes, can't have all of the "stability" of the working Joe with the generational wealth of an pro hockey player.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I always find it interesting how we fans side with the billionaire owners over "wealthy" hockey players. I know it's because we are loyal to the team and we want what's best for the team, but I think it sometimes skews our views.

IMO, the owners currently hold more of the cards. They can draft a 17-18 year old and decide if they want to sign them to an ELC or not. Then for decent/good players, they hold their rights for 7-8 years of their prime playing years.

Only the top players can really get away with getting any sort of trade protection in future contracts.

Yes, it certainly does come with the territory of being a pro-athlete, that you may one day be traded, but whenever a team uses whatever tactics they need to improve their team, "it's just business". When a player refuses to waive, or holds out, or says he won't sign with a team, won't report or in the case of NCAA players, goes UFA, he's viewed as a selfish and entitled.

I don't blame the NYR here for doing what they did with Trouba, but I don't blame the NHLPA for not liking it and thinking about how to change that in future CBAs either. Both parties have to look out for their own best interest.

 

[thestonedkoala]

Then quit and don't play pro hockey? You act like they don't have choice. Quit hockey and make 65k a year being a project manager for an IT company and live where you want like us if you think that's the better option.

They should all quit then and we don't have to argue or watch hockey, right?

Getting traded comes with the territory of being a pro athlete along with the $8,000,000 a year paycheck and ability to retire in your mid 30's.

And so do contract negotiations, which Trouba did and got a mNTC. The Rangers didn't hold up their end of the contract by circumventing the mNTC. Why have NTC if you can circumvent it?

Poor athletes, can't have all of the "stability" of the working Joe with the generational wealth of an pro hockey player.

This reeks of someone that doesn't have a family or has never constantly moved or had to travel for a living.

Yes, it certainly does come with the territory of being a pro-athlete, that you may one day be traded, but whenever a team uses whatever tactics they need to improve their team, "it's just business". When a player refuses to waive, or holds out, or says he won't sign with a team, won't report or in the case of NCAA players, goes UFA, he's viewed as a selfish and entitled.

Yep; look at how fans trashed Rutger McGroarty and hope he fails or Cutter Gauthier or Adam Fox. Hell, look at the responses to Trouba here.

 

[HFpapi]

They should all quit then and we don't have to argue or watch hockey, right?

No, the vast, vast, majority of players accept that being traded is part of the deal for a pro athlete and one of the few down sides in exchange for generational wealth, getting to retire in your 30's, and getting to play a sport for a living instead of rotting away at a desk for 50 hours a week and sitting in traffic on the way home to a house you can barely afford to live in.

I'm not saying it doesn't suck from his perspective, he's human. But acting like this is an appalling display of inhumanity is ridiculous, from him, the players, and people in this thread.

No matter how many ways you try to spin it, he's a guy getting paid $8,000,000 a year to play a sport for a living and *gasp* has to move to Orange County. I think he'll survive.

I'll repeat again: If Trouba wants to prioritize his wife's medical residency and stay in New York, he's free to quit hockey and get a real job. If he wants the stability we get, he should accept the office life and salary we get too.

 

[K1984]

I'm fine if you can't dispatch a player with NT protection through waivers as long as the players are ok ending the "I'll only waive for team X" bullshit that completely handicaps the team that has them, and only ends up benefiting the small few teams that achieve this status.

Waiving a NTC/NMC? You don't get to pick and choose.

 

[joestevens29]

I think players are maybe pissed about how public it all was- like, no, we’re gonna blame you and get the media on your ass until you do what we want and leave.

Ya, he sucked, but it’s kinda a toxic tornado there- they overpaid him, made him captain, then have been like “wanna leave now? How ‘bout now?” every day for like a year. When he still wouldn’t waive him NTC they went to the waivers threat, so they just forced their hand in a way that feels messed up. That’s business, it’s evil, moving on..

And then at the same time you have tkachuk shit being leaked non stop among other players every year. Both sides do this shit

 

[Barrie22]

They should all quit then and we don't have to argue or watch hockey, right?


And so do contract negotiations, which Trouba did and got a mNTC. The Rangers didn't hold up their end of the contract by circumventing the mNTC. Why have NTC if you can circumvent it?



This reeks of someone that doesn't have a family or has never constantly moved or had to travel for a living.


Yep; look at how fans trashed Rutger McGroarty and hope he fails or Cutter Gauthier or Adam Fox. Hell, look at the responses to Trouba here.

They didn't circumvent the no trade clause, what the rangers did is part of a no trade clause.

 

[joestevens29]

They should all quit then and we don't have to argue or watch hockey, right?


And so do contract negotiations, which Trouba did and got a mNTC. The Rangers didn't hold up their end of the contract by circumventing the mNTC. Why have NTC if you can circumvent it?



This reeks of someone that doesn't have a family or has never constantly moved or had to travel for a living.


Yep; look at how fans trashed Rutger McGroarty and hope he fails or Cutter Gauthier or Adam Fox. Hell, look at the responses to Trouba here.

You obviously don’t know what a m ntc is.

 

[thestonedkoala]

You obviously don’t know what a m ntc is.

And you don't know what coercion is.

If a player submits a list of teams he doesn't want to be traded to, and then is forced to be traded to one of those teams I find that to be circumventing the mNTC. Why have a mNTC when you can just put a player on waivers and let some other team take them? Screw the agreement right?

 

[x Tame Impala]

And you don't know what coercion is.

If a player submits a list of teams he doesn't want to be traded to, and then is forced to be traded to one of those teams I find that to be circumventing the mNTC. Why have a mNTC when you can just put a player on waivers and let some other team take them? Screw the agreement right?

Did Trouba not just block a trade to Detroit, a team NOT on his NTC, by saying he wouldn't report? Just last June? How is that any different?