In a shocking turn of events just weeks before the playoffs, a former Flame has been reacquired by the team in an unprecedented move in the NHL.
Elias Lindholm, who was traded before the NHL Trade Deadline to the Vancouver Canucks for a massive haul that included players, picks, and prospects, has not played well in Vancouver. This move shouldn’t come as a shock, but how it happened is even more mind-blowing.
The Takesies Backsies Clause
Thought never to exist in an NHL contract, the Takesies Backsies Clause is a rare contract maneuver laid out in the CBA to be used in only the most dire of circumstances:
3.8.2 – The Takesies Backsies Clause
The NHL and its affiliated Teams hereby establish the Takesies Backsies Clause” (hereinafter referred to as the “TBC”), which shall govern all player transactions and contractual negotiations within the NHL.
Pursuant to the TBC, once a player transaction or contractual agreement has been finalized and executed by all Parties involved, including but not limited to players, agents, Teams, and the NHL, there shall be no provision for retroactive rescission, cancellation, or annulment (“Takesies Backsies”). All agreements shall be deemed final and binding upon execution. A team or player can only execute the TBC should that player fail to meet the basic understanding of his contract.
The TBC shall be enforceable by the NHL and its affiliated Teams, and any violation thereof may result in disciplinary action, fines, or other penalties, as determined by the NHL Commissioner or their designee.
When Lindholm signed his current deal with the Flames, former general manager Brad Treliving must have included it as one final send-off gift for the franchise. With the TBC being enacted in this deal, the Flames reacquire Lindholm for their chase for sixteenth overall while the Canucks stock their cupboards again with their original assets and retain Andrei Kuzmenko.
When asked about the deal, Craig Conroy and Lindholm declined to comment on the move. Both are surely excited to be reunited after months of failed contract negotiations.
Kuzmenko, on the other hand, had this to say:
“Playoffs? We’re talking about playoffs?”
– Andrei Kuzmenko, throguh the Murray Edwards fan podcast
Former Flame and current Canucks defenseman, Nikita Zadorov, reached out himself to provide a quote as well:
“I’m just happy it wasn’t me”
– Nikita Zadorov, through himself via Dan Milstien
More to come on this shocking development as news breaks.
