Every year more than 100 NHL players submit no-trade lists of one kind or another. Whether it is a list of teams they would be willing to go to, or a list that they very much would not, many of the league’s best players get a chance to have some say in where they end up. Sometimes a no-trade list will include teams that would be the most likely to be interested, giving the player final say. But other times it is just a personal preference of markets or organizations that they would or wouldn’t want to be a part of.
Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev for instance holds a 10-team no-trade list now that he is into his unrestricted free agent seasons, and had to waive it in order to accept a trade to the Ottawa Senators earlier this offseason. Zaitsev spoke with Igor Eronko of Sport-Express, explaining that his list included the Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and “two more.” Obviously that includes every other Canadian team, though it’s not clear if that is because of the culture or just the situations each team is in.
Moving from a non-traditional hockey market to a place like Toronto or Montreal might be jarring for many players, but those same places might be quite appealing to others. New York and Los Angeles are hot destinations in many industries, but also may not interest people not so many years removed from small town living. State tax rates might come into account for the financially savvy, while team success could be the deciding factor for others. There are countless reasons to how no-trade lists are formed.
So what teams would be on your list? We’ll run this experiment with the same 10-team no-trade list that Zaitsev has. Choose the teams you would block a move to and make sure to explain your decisions in the comments.
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If I have a heart of gold and am not motivated by money, I would not be an Isle, Sen, Coyote, or Wild player. For a different reason for each team, I don’t believe in them.
Next were the Oilers, Canadiens, and Toronto (though I love their team) because of the ridiculous Canadian media that drives players out of town.
I ran out of teams I actually didn’t like, so I went with petty stuff like SJ, Philly and Boston. Boston and SJ because I don’t care for the fans much, PHI because I’m from the 412.
I only picked 8 teams. The Caps and Flyers (boooo) and 6 of the 7 Canadian teams, all except Montreal.
No thanks to florida, tampa, arizona, carolina or dallas. no desire to live in these great states. Minnesota if you live in cold prefer canada. boston city history not appealing. columbus no chance of winning anything. ottawa the owner. nashville country music.lol
My 10 team no trade list: CGY, EDM, WPG, OTT, DET, BUF, CBJ, CAR, VAN, PHI.
That’s funny,I’m a Sharks fan and don’t like our fans,it’s embarrassing their Comments at the games,they show their lack of knowledge and very Spoiled,very loud though haha,they don’t understand there are teams that are out of contention from the first Puck Drop.
I’ll let WC Fields speak for me: “I’d rather die than be in Philadelphia”
Pittsburgh for sure! Couldn’t deal with whiny Crosby 24/7
I wouldn’t want to go anywhere in western Canada. No Los Angeles I was there during the Kings cup runs and it took me 4 or 5 bars before I found one that would put the Stanley Cup on… It was all Lakers/Clippers and preseason baseball. Even the Padres were on…
Carolina doesn’t appeal.
New York Rangers are on my no-trade list as well. Haven’t won since ’94 and even when they are expected to be good, they always seem to leave themselves a few pieces short of great. I’d consider waiving my no-trade to go there though, situationally.
Pittsburgh I wouldn’t want to have to deal with crybaby Crosby.
Philadelphia fans are brutal in all sports. Philly is out.
Buffalo seems to be on a perennial rebuild. They are out as well.
Arizona is out because I just wouldn’t want to live there. Colorado, Vegas or Texas are better options if I’m heading in that direction.
Ottawa, Detroit, Buffalo and Columbus for me.
My no trade list would be: Montreal, NYR, NYI, Washington, LA, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Arizona, Las Vegas and New Jersey.
Really it’s only the first six of that list.