Just wondering. So you know how when you trade a player with a NMC before it kicks in, that the team that acquires him no longer has to honor the NMC?
Can 2 teams trade each other a player with a NMC, and then trade them back, therefore negating the NMCs for both players...?
Its highly unethical, and would be really contentious with the players union...but i dont see any real problem with it..i mean teams are paying their players in bonuses to make them buyout proof...why not go the other way.
So for example..rangers trade Stepan to another team with a player whose about to have a NMC kick in...then they immediately trade back...both teams now dont have to honor said NMC.
Team B would not have to honor a NMC that has not vested yet. And there are no restrictions on re-acquiring a player after trading them away. But the NHLPA would be all over this and an arbitrator would justifiably find that the contract between Stepan and the Rangers contained an implied promise NOT to do this.
Back to OP... it's blatant circumvention that wouldn't be allowed, and it's just bush league. you wouldn't find two franchises willing to do this, it would destroy their reputation...forget about resigning your core or ever attracting a UFA again.
concur w/these responses to the OP, and I am not sure about something...
Stepan has another 5 or so years, whatever,
we trade him now to team "A"
A ships him back to us in exchange for a prospect middle of next year.
He is operating on an extension, or more accurately a continuation of the original deal with that NMC clause.
The trade to A did not eliminate the NMC clause, only defeat its effectiveness pro tempore.
That specific NMC clause was negated cause Stepan was no longer on NYR, and the contract addressed that specific condition/situation.
However, if it is the very same contract, and there is no change by BOTH player and club to modify the already existing and initially effective NMC clause, then...
then Stepan's return would wake up the original NMC, and have it kick in.
Only way to defeat that, IMO
team A would have to allow NYR permission to negotiate w/Stepan before trade
consent to old contract being voided BY PLAYER, voluntarily
then NYR + Stepan must agree on a new deal w/out any NMC