NHL general managers are always looking for ways to create cap space, reshape rosters, and take advantage of a quickly rising salary cap. But while some contracts can be moved with retained salary, or by adding a sweetener, others have become nearly impossible to trade.
In this episode of Mid-Ice Crisis, we break down the five most untradeable contracts in the NHL heading into the 2026 offseason. These aren't necessarily bad players—but when age, term, cap hit, performance, and trade protection collide, moving a contract becomes a nightmare.

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