NHL teams seem to be using the public to pressure players into waiving no-trade clauses

The trade deadline for the 2025-26 NHL season is on Friday (3 p.m. ET), and a lot of teams are already starting to make significant moves. More will happen before Friday's deadline. One of the more interesting developments that has happened over the past few days is the number of trades that were reportedly completed involving players with no-trade protections in their contracts. Even more fascinating is the way those trades were leaked out into the public — before the players in question had a chance to make a decision on whether or not to waive their no-trade clauses. 

Looking at the situations logically, it is hard to argue the leaks were not a way for teams to try to strong-arm players into accepting the deals.

Some did.

Some did not. 

Leaking trade news could be a way for teams to force player's hands

The players in question were defensemen Tyler Myers, Colton Parayko and MacKenzie Weegar.

In Myers' case, it was reported there was a deal in place to send him from the Vancouver Canucks to the Detroit Red Wings to help solidify their defense. Word surfaced of the trade before Myers had made his decision. He ultimately used his no-trade protection, blocked the deal and was then eventually traded to the Dallas Stars (a trade he did accept).

Weegar was traded from the Calgary Flames to the Utah Mammoth, with word of his deal again being leaked into the media before he could make his decision. Weegar also ultimately accepted the trade. 

Then there was St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko. There was a deal in place to send him to the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, which was again made public before he could make his decision.

He ultimately declined and is reportedly interested in staying in the Western Conference.

There are a few layers to this worth pointing out. 

For one, the public has an unquenchable thirst for trade rumors and trade speculation, especially as the trade deadline approaches. They want as much information as possible, and reporters and insiders are going to do their best to pass along the information they know. That is their job. Nobody is in the wrong with that aspect of it. Fans want trades and information. Reporters have that information. 

But somebody is passing along that information, and it is not hard to put the puzzle pieces together and figure out who it is.

It is the team. At least one of the teams involved. Perhaps both of the teams involved. 

As former NHL player and current analyst Ray Ferraro pointed out on social media site X on Thursday, there is zero motivation for the player or their agents to spread that news or leak it to the press.