Report: Oilers, Jets top NHLers’ no-trade lists

Rob-Klinkhammer;-Edmonton-Oilers

Rob Klinkhammer was traded to Edmonton this season. For the big names, however, it's not always that easy. (Risberg/AP)

Sorry, Edmonton Oilers. Our condolences, Winnipeg Jets. We feel your pain, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs.

The agents have spoken, if only to confirm what fans of the aforementioned five clubs already suspected: most NHL players don’t want to be traded to those five teams.

According to an interesting report from ESPN’s Craig Custance, four of the top five teams on NHL players’ no-trade list are located in Canada.

Custance asked 10 agents for the three most commonly named teams on their clients’ no-trade lists. Cold weather, losing records and media scrutiny, he was told, are all factors encouraging players to avoid four Canadian markets. (Taxes might play a role, too.)

“I think Winnipeg is on all my guys’ lists,” one agent says in the piece.

The Oilers finished No. 1 on the players’ no-trade list, followed by Winnipeg (No. 2) and Buffalo (No. 3). Toronto and Ottawa tied for fourth.

Should be interesting to see if the Jets’ winning ways and the potential acquisition of Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel by the other four clubs changes players’ must-avoid lists next season.

Read the full article here.

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