Why Elias Pettersson’s contract is missing a no-move clause in its first year

Astute observers looking at the CapFriendly page for Elias Pettersson’s new eight-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks may have noticed that the first year of his deal is missing a key item.

There isn’t no-movement clause — which would prevent the Canucks from trading him, waiving him or sending him to the minors — listed for the 2024-25 season.

And that’s correct: The first year of Pettersson’s US$92.8 million deal does, in fact, leave open the possibility of a trade.

It wasn’t an accident — but not for the reasons you think.

No, this wasn’t some demand by either side to leave open the possibility of a trade in the next year, just in case.

It’s much more simple: The collective bargaining agreement doesn’t allow it.

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A player can only ask for an NMC after they’ve played in the NHL for seven seasons,

or have turned 27. In either case, a player without a contract at that age or with that service time is an unrestricted free agent.

In Pettersson’s case, he is only in his sixth NHL season. The first year of his new deal will be his seventh NHL season. Only when that season is over is he eligible for a no-movement clause.

That’s all there is to it.

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