Erik Johnson Criticizes NHL Players Requesting Trades Mid-Contract
Trade requests across the National Hockey League spark sharp criticism from former defenseman Erik Johnson as players attempt to force moves away from their teams.
The league sees an increase in trade demands following the 2026 Winter Olympics. Former Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk moved to Florida, while Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck joined the New Jersey Devils after holding out into the 2026-27 regular season, Yahoo Sports reported.
Other players remain in limbo while trade discussions stall. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers refute external reports regarding young star Matvei Michkov wanting to play elsewhere as he enters the final year of his entry-level contract.
Johnson, a 38-year-old veteran with over 1,000 games of experience, speaks out against players attempting to jump ship mid-contract. He experienced a similar situation nine years ago in Colorado when top forward Matt Duchene asked out.
"The core guys of the team, Gabe Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, we went to Joe Sakic, we said, ‘Get him out of here.”
"I can't stand these guys halfway through their contracts … bailing ship and wanting to go for greener pastures." -@6ErikJohnson on the uptick of trade requests amongst players in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/qTTXAFkh06
Players Abandoning Teams Mid-Contract Causes Discontent
The Colorado Avalanche ultimately obliged the trade request involving Duchene, sending him to Ottawa in a three-team deal. That transaction brought a 2018 first-round draft pick to Denver, which the franchise later used to select Bowen Byram.
Players such as Larkin and Hellebuyck utilize no-trade and no-movement clauses to control their destinations. Philadelphia faces a different dynamic with Michkov as a pending free agent, though inquiring teams monitor his status closely.
Internal roster friction also persists in Philadelphia. Reports indicate dissatisfaction with the performance of several veteran players.
Roster Pressure in Philadelphia
Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier, Travis Sanheim, and Christian Dvorak hold full trade protection. Owen Tippett maintains a 10-team no-trade list, complicating any potential roster adjustments for general manager Danny Briere.
Situations involving player mobility and front-office friction continue developing across the league. Trade drama remains a central storyline as the season progresses.