NHL Trade Scenarios: 10 Players Whose Teams Regret Giving Them a No-Trade Clause

A bad contract can be a burden for an NHL team. A bad contract with a no-movement clause can cripple a team.

Since the lockout, the contracts being dished out in the NHL are becoming crazier and more binding than ever before. A 10-year deal here, a $50 million deal there, and no-movement clauses for numerous roster players. 

As one may expect, plenty of teams regret dishing out these contracts, but there is often little they can do besides hope the player is willing to waive the no-trade clause. They have lost all leverage by dishing out an absurd contract.

Here are the 10 players whose teams regret giving them a no-trade clause.

Anton Volchenkov

Given his lack of durability and eroding skills, Anton Volchenkov's $4.25 million cap hit is bad enough. Combine that with the fact that the team is stuck with the contract for five more seasons due to Volchenkov's no-trade clause, and the team has to be kicking itself for this signing.

Roberto Luongo

Roberto Luongo is one of the elite goaltenders in the NHL, but it seems that things may not work out in Vancouver. He is struggling to deal with the media and fan pressures that come with playing there, and his performance has slipped.

Unfortunately for the Canucks, Luongo's contract runs through the 2022 season, carries an annual cap hit of $5.33 million and comes with a no-trade clause. The team could actually get something for him and would be willing to trade him with backup goalie Cory Schneider waiting in the wings.

Sergei Gonchar

Sergei Gonchar's contract is a big road block for the rebuilding effort in Ottawa.

As the team tries to get younger and shed cap room, Gonchar's $5.5 million cap hit on a contract with two years left carries with it a no-movement clause. They can't put him in the minors, they can't move his salary and, since he was over 35 when he signed the deal, he will still get paid if he decides to retire before the contract is up.

Vincent Lecavalier

Vincent Lecavalier has had a bit of a resurgence over the past few seasons, but his contract is still one the Lightning would love to rethink.

After his injuries, Lecavalier is no longer worthy of a $7.73 million annual cap hit, nor does he deserve nine more years of that money. The Lightning have handcuffed themselves here, because he has a no-movement clause on this contract that will likely last the rest of his career.

Wade Redden

Wade Redden is a great example of the dangers of a no-trade clause.

He has three years left on a deal worth $6.5 million a pop. He is stashed in the minors right now, but can't be traded due to the clause in his contract. The Rangers are stuck with this guy.

Shawn Horcoff

While Shawn Horcoff is still a contributor for the Oilers and is certainly a decent leader, the team has to be kicking itself for paying him $5.5 million a year with a no-movement clause. His deal is going to carry him until he is in his late 30s and he is nothing more than a second-liner for this team.

Daniel Briere

Daniel Briere has been a productive player in both the regular and postseason for the Philadelphia Flyers since signing his blockbuster contract. However, for a cap hit of $6.3 million, Philly expects more than just one 70-point season in his four with the team.

He always steps it up in the playoffs, and is off to a fine start to this season, but I think he is definitely a bit overpaid. Considering his contract runs through 2015, at which point he will be 38 years old, the Flyers may be regretting the no-movement clause they gave him.

Jay Bouwmeester

Like many players on this list, Jay Bouwmeester is not a bad player by any means. He just isn't worth the $6.68 million he is being paid annually for the next three seasons.

A contract like that is tough to move, but the Flames made it even more difficult by giving Bouwmeester a no-trade clause. That money could be put to good use with a rebuilding project on the horizon in Calgary.

Ilya Kovalchuk

Ilya Kovalchuk has underwhelmed since the Devils signed him to a controversially insane deal a few offseasons ago. He had only 60 points a year ago and has a contract that runs through the 2025 season with an annual cap hit of $6.67 million.

Luckily, Kovalchuk's no-movement clause expires in 2016, but that is still a long way away, and it will seem to drag if he doesn't start producing.

Scott Gomez

Scott Gomez isn't a bad guy, so it's rough to see him take so much criticism. However, when the team is paying him $7.37 million per season without the ability to trade him, it's tough to argue with the critics.

Gomez couldn't even reach 40 points or double-digit goals last season. He is grossly overpaid.