Philadelphia Flyers
Torey Krug Did Nothing Wrong By Reportedly Exercising No-Trade Clause
The Philadelphia Flyers’ Kevin Hayes to St. Louis trade hit a snag when Blues defenseman Torey Krug reportedly wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause.
The Flyers reportedly tried to bring another team or teams into the trade — a team where Krug would agree to go. As of Monday morning, there was no earth-shattering news on the Hayes trade. But the day is young.
Philly fans, based on social media and in communications with me, are unhappy with Krug. They are unhappy with no-trade clauses in general.
Right or wrong, fans believe Krug is the reason the Hayes trade hasn’t happened. Some Philadelphia Flyers fans are eager to move on from Hayes, especially when the reported return is one of the Blues’ first-round draft choices. Several reports had Hayes and Travis Sanheim going to St. Louis for Krug and a first-rounder. Without Krug’s consent, that trade will have to change, perhaps scaled down.
Torey Krug did nothing wrong. Torey Krug did exactly what his contract said he could do. He has a no-trade clause and he’s exercising it.
Krug’s Deal
Krug was a free agent in October 2020.
The Blues wanted to sign Krug, and he wanted to play in St. Louis. Krug and his agent negotiated a no-trade clause with the Blues. The Blues agreed to the no-trade clause, and here we are. A player has every right to negotiate what’s in his contract. A team has every right to negotiate, too.
Krug signed a 7-year, $45.5 million contract according to CapFriendly. Krug came to the Blues after spending nine years in Boston.
If the deal works for both parties, there is a deal. In Krug’s case, there was a deal. A win-win for both sides.
Krug is 32 years old. Does he want to be part of what could be a long rebuild in Philadelphia? Players want to make money and win. Krug has his money.
Players who are 27 or older, or have seven accrued seasons, are eligible for no-trade clauses or no-movement clauses, according to PuckPedia. Veteran players want protection and a say to where they might be traded.
According to CapFriendly, there are 217 NHL players with either a no-trade clause or a no-movement clause. Four Flyers have such a deal, according to CapFriendly:
- Cam Atkinson: 10-team no-trade list
- Kevin Hayes: 12-team no-trade list
- Nicolas Deslauries: 20-team no-trade list
- Sean Couturier: no-movement clause
Perhaps Krug will change his mind about coming to Philadelphia. Or not. It’s his right and it’s a right he has earned.
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Flyers, In Case You Missed It:
Flyers well positioned in draft full of talent.
Check out the Flyers’ picks — and all 32 picks — in National Hockey Now’s mock draft.
Flyers working to trade Kevin Hayes to Blues. And, an update after the trade hits a snag.
Around The National Hockey Network:
Boston Hockey Now: In light of the Flyers-Blues trade talks, was David Pastrnak trying to bring Torey Krug back to Boston?
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“Torey Krug Did Nothing Wrong By Reportedly Exercising No-Trade Clause” —- !00% correct. Torey Krug has every right to reject a trade. The “wrong” in this situation was created by Blues GM, Doug Armstrong, in agreeing to that language in the contract with Krug. By doing so, Armstrong surrendered all of his power to possibly move Krug in an effort to improve the Blues. Instead of Armstrong having control, the player has control (the tail is wagging the dog) in this case.
It appears that Doug Armstrong is a bit of a push-over when it comes to including the No Trade Clause in player contracts. The Blues currently have nine (9) players on their roster with a No Trade Clause – almost half of their starting roster. That’s second only to the Seattle Kraken with twelve (12) NTC players.
Totally absurd contract management.
The Doug Armstrong and Ron Francis, Kraken GM, should reach out to Tom Fitzgerald, NJ Devils GM for some advice – The NJ Devils have zero (0) NTC players.
The Blues wanted to sign Krug. Krug wanted an NTC. He was a free agent defenseman and a good one. The NTC could have been the deal-breaker. No NTC, no Krug. The Devils have two no-movement deals — Hamilton and Palat. Giroux has one with the Senators.
Obviously in 2021 the Blues wanted to sign Krug, and he, understandably, wanted a NTC – what NHL player wouldn’t. But now it looks like the Blues were willing to trade Krug, but can’t. Why? Because in 2021, Blues GM, Doug Armstrong, surrendered his authority by agreeing to include an NTC in Torey Krug’s contract. “No NTC, no Krug”, so be it. Let him go find another GM foolish enough to offer an NTC. Now Armstrong is stuck with Krug until 2028 – whether he (Armstrong) likes it or not.
This is a great example of why no GM should include an NTC in any contract negotiation. And if the athlete, and/or his agent strongly insist, simply say, “Wayne Gretzky was traded, which means you, and any other NHL player can be traded.” End of negotiation on any NTC terms.
It would have been nice if Armstrong asked Krug about possibly waving the NTC to go to the Flyers before the full details of the trade was leaked to the media. The trade would have been great if a third team was involved. The best thing was getting out of the albatross contract that Sanheim has. Now it looks like the trade could just be Hayes for whatever and the team will have to pivot regarding Sanheim. Had read that Toronto and Winnipeg could be possible landing spots.
Still can’t believe that Briere turned down pick 25 or 29 and a future second rounder from the Blues for Laughton. I would trade Hayes, DeAngelo, Laughton, & TK for the best deals available and possibly even Hart, but I think the 2018 juniors tournament thing is clouding that possible move.
You mean Krug doesn’t want to play for the 2023-24 Philadelphia Flyers? Why on earth not? And who gave Deslauriers a no-trade clause? Oh yeah, Fletcher.