NHLPA Fires Back At Gary Bettman Over Growing Trade Controversy
The NHLPA's assistant executive director told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun the union sees Gary Bettman's comments on no-trade clauses as the start of something bigger.
"The beginning of this conversation about no-move and no-trade clauses, we do take as an attack on players' CBA-negotiated rights," Hainsey said.
"And we will treat it as such."
LeBrun's story came out Monday, four days after Bettman spoke on Sportsnet 590's FAN Hockey Show.
The Union Says The Clauses Are Working Fine
Bettman said Thursday that the clauses have drifted from their purpose.
"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," he said.
Hainsey disagreed from his first sentence. "First, we think the no-trade, no-move clause is being used as originally intended."
His argument is that a no-trade clause is a negotiated right like any other part of a contract.
Ron Hainsey (the assistant executive director at the NHLPA) about Bettman comments on the no-trade clause: “The beginning of this conversation about no-move and no-trade clauses, we do take as an attack on players’ CBA-negotiated rights. And we will treat it as such.” Per Pierre LeBrun #NHL #HockeyX
— R i N K Y (@RinkyReport) October 5, 2026
"It's a player's right to negotiate salary, salary structure, term, as well as a no-move or no-trade with their club if they're able to do so and bargain in good faith."
He said the size of the protection doesn't change that. "Whether it's 10 teams or 15 or 32, the club isn't able to trade you to those teams without your consent."
On whether there's anything to talk about, he was blunt. "From our point of view, there's no valid reason to even be having this discussion."
Agents Pushed Back, And The League Isn't Backing Down
Hainsey wasn't the only one.
LeBrun reported that several agents, including J.P. Barry, rejected the idea of making changes. "Players give up significant compensation demands to obtain a no-trade clause," Barry said.
LeBrun added a counterpoint of his own.
He wrote that Bettman's comments ignore the players who've used their clauses to stay with the teams they signed with, often quietly.
He also noted that Brady Tkachuk never promised to waive his no-move clause for any team except Florida.
Gary Bettman believes the NHL has gotten away from the original purpose of no-trade clauses 👀 Bettman says they were intended to protect players signing long-term in a place they wanted to stay, not allow them to demand a trade AND dictate where they’re willing to go. He says if this becomes a bigger problem, the NHL may have to address it with the Players’ Association 🤔
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 1, 2026
A league spokesman told LeBrun the commissioner's comments stand.
The current CBA runs through the 2029-30 season.
Bettman said last week that one offseason doesn't make a problem. "If it becomes a problem, it's something we are going to have to discuss with the players' association."
Dylan Larkin's and Connor Hellebuyck's trade requests are both still unresolved.
