- Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey says the NHL has entered a new era where stars dictate where they play
- He points to rising cap flexibility as the reason trade requests are more common than ever
- Read below for his full take on the Hellebuyck, Larkin and Tkachuk player-power wave
Josh Morrissey has watched the NHL’s biggest names start calling their own shots this summer, and the Winnipeg Jets defenseman figures the trend is only getting started.
Morrissey was asked about the recent run of stars using their leverage to pick a landing spot during an appearance on FlamesNation’s FN Barn Burner podcast, as transcribed by Daily Faceoff.
“I think it is an interesting time, and to be quite honest, I don’t really know how it’s all going to go. We’ve seen some guys get traded, big name guys, to certain places, and other guys where deals haven’t happened yet, and who knows if they ever will?”
Watch Morrissey’s full sit-down with the Barn Burner crew:
The list of names is long. Brady Tkachuk stepped away from the Ottawa captaincy and landed in Florida. Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski and Morrissey’s own teammate, Connor Hellebuyck, have all reportedly asked out.
Morrissey has a theory for why it keeps happening. He was talking about what makes these deals easier to pull off than they used to be:
“I think the reason that it’s probably more prevalent now is there’s more cap flexibility than there’s been in a long time. Big trades weren’t as easy to come by when you had to trade money out to bring money in.”
The rising cap has loosened up the whole board. Star players carry big numbers, and for years that money was the hardest thing to move. Now teams have room to absorb it.
Larkin’s standoff in Detroit shows the flip side. Not every request gets granted, and the roots of that one run deep:
Morrissey stopped short of picking a side on any of it. He said every situation is unique and hard to lump together, then pointed his attention back to his own room.
“As I look forward to next season, just want our team to be the best we possibly can, have a chance to win, and that’s all you can really focus on.”
Easier said than done in Winnipeg, where the Hellebuyck saga is hanging over camp. Morrissey can control his own game. Whether his Vezina-winning goalie is still in the crease when the puck drops is a different question.
