It was a conversation that took place before GM Kevin Cheveldayoff pulled off his monster Evander Kane trade. The debate was whether criticism of Cheveldayoffs lack of notable NHL trades was warranted.
Of course, it wasnt. Other general managers hadnt made any trades of note during the time of Cheveldayoffs tenure as GM, but that wasnt the defense this Cheveldayoff supporter took.
Instead, he pointed out something hockey fans might not realize: Winnipeg may be the most commonly listed team on a players no-trade clause.
There are three ways to build a team: draft and develop, which is the Jets mode of preference, plus free agency and trades.
But if players dont want to be traded to Winnipeg, they certainly arent picking the Jets as a free-agent destination. It can limit the options of a team trying to improve its roster.
Turns out, this isnt just a Winnipeg problem.
To discover if this Jets defender was correct, 10 agents were asked to send the three most commonly listed teams when players with no-trade clauses submit their list of banned destinations. Much like this years draft, the only debate was over the third team.
I think Winnipeg is on all my guys lists, said one agent. Every single one.
Its a disadvantage historically bad teams have to overcome, but its possible, which provides hope for the surging Jets. For years, the Islanders were in contention for that top three, according to a number of agents polled, but the presence of John Tavares, along with the transformation under the leadership of GM Garth Snow, has changed that. Theres hope for the Jets, but there may not be for the first team on this list of most commonly listed no-trade options:
1. Edmonton Oilers (Five first-place votes)
For as much criticism as the Oilers have received for their execution of the tank and rebuild strategy, its the only way to build a team in Edmonton with high-end players. Otherwise, its almost impossible to attract players to this franchise. Free agency is cause of overpayment, and the Oilers were the No. 1 team mentioned by half the agents polled. They were on every single ballot.
The Oilers have three things working against them: climate, lack of success and being a Canadian team, which is one common characteristic on these lists. Given the choice, agents said, most players dont necessarily want to play in Canada.
I hate to say it, but its the Canadian teams, said one agent. Vancouver would be the most desirable out of those teams. Theres Winnipeg and Edmonton, Toronto because of all the bad media and Montreal. Either you love it or hate it.
I can tell you, its pretty much automatic that Edmonton and Winnipeg are the first two names anyone comes up with, said another agent. Winnipeg is at least winning a little bit. Edmonton is a complete nightmare.
2. Winnipeg Jets (Four first-place votes)
Its no surprise that the Jets are on this list. The question is whether their success on the ice can remove them. Making the playoffs wont change the scrutiny of playing in a Canadian city, nor will it make the weather any better.
Winning does help, said one agent. If we had done these lists 10 years ago, Pittsburgh would have been on it.
Another agent pointed to Detroit, a town not known for its great winter weather or vibrant nightlife but one thats become a destination all the same.
Why do people want to go to the Detroit Red Wings? They win, said the agent. They have a proud organization. Players want to play there because they have a chance to win. Theyre proud to play there.
Still, that Winnipeg weather.
If you think its cold in Detroit, its like that for four months in Winnipeg, said the agent. If you have a family, youre a shut-in. The kids cant go outside and play. You go outside for 15 minutes and its frostbite.
In retrospect, the long-term contracts that the Jets gave to their core of younger players was probably wise considering the challenge of attracting players to Winnipeg. If there are players willing to stick around, it makes sense to keep them.
The guys who play there, they love it, said another agent. Its just the idea of going there seems awful.
3. Buffalo Sabres (One first-place vote)
The Sabres received a first-place vote and were mentioned on four of the 10 ballots. Its understandable. GM Tim Murray is still in the process of stripping this franchise for parts before building it back up.
Thats a miserable process that veteran players would rather avoid.
Its a running joke with some of the guys when I get their list. Let me predict, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Buffalo are the top three, said an agent.
Of the teams in the top three, the Sabres may have the best chance of a quick turnaround and joining teams like the Islanders who are disappearing from no-trade clauses.
It may come down to how the lottery ball bounces.
If Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel are playing in Buffalo and theyre the players they look like theyre going to be, guys will want to play there, said the agent. Guys can live pretty well on an NHL salary in a city like Buffalo.
4. Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs (tied)
Smaller-market teams that cant spend as much as their big-market counterparts are a tough sell. That hurts Ottawa. Factor in the Canadian media scrutiny and they get mentioned on a lot of lists.
The combination of losing and white-hot media glare keeps the Maple Leafs as a regular on no-trade lists.
In that media market, there are too many people trying to cover the same thing and trying to find a different edge, said an agent. Thats a tough place to play.
One agent said players are hesitant to go to Toronto but some dont want to admit it.
The younger guys wont say it -- its Toronto, you grow up thinking its this awesome place for hockey, said the agent.
Despite the negativity now, theres hope for Toronto. If somehow Brendan Shanahan can turn that franchise into a winner, it will go from no-trade lists to a destination.
If Toronto were to win, it would be like the New York Yankees, said an agent. Its that good a potential market.
Others receiving mention: New Jersey, Florida (Guys dont like going to a place where the building is empty and they cant win), Arizona (Phoenix has been somewhat common, partially because of the instability of ownership the last few years)
