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Arizona Coyotes

Hjalmarsson Unwilling to Waive No-Move Clause With Coyotes

Because of his desire to stay near his two sons, Niklas Hjalmarsson is reportedly unwilling to waive his no-move clause to leave Coyotes.

As per Craig Morgan of Arizona Coyotes Insider, league sources have told him that defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson is not willing to waive his no-movement clause so that the team can trade him.

With rumors surrounding the organization and changes coming at a steady pace — including news that director of scouting/AGM Lindsay Hofford has been fired earlier Tuesday — speculation is that the Coyotes are looking to shed massive salary off the books and move a number of players. Hjalmarrson was among the many names that could have been traded and talk was that the Colorado Avalanche had expressed interest.

But, because he has control in his contract with a full no-move clause, if he doesn’t want to go anywhere, the only option for the Coyotes would be to buy out his contract. Reports are the Coyotes are not willing to do so since the savings would be nominal at best.

Hjalmarsson Could Be Playing For a Depleted Team

If what is expected in Arizona comes to pass, Hjalmarsson is sticking put on a team that might have very few other players of note on it. The expectation is that Taylor Hall will leave in free agency and there’s a ton of buzz around Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Darcy Keumper being moved. Talk of Phil Kessel getting shipped out have surfaced as well.

For Hjalmarsson, the desire to stay in the city where his family is, specifically his two sons, seems to have outweighed any desire to be on a team that has the chance to compete.

But, when his contract expires as the end of next season, it would be difficult to imagine him not testing the market and seeing what his options are, especially if the Coyotes are still not looking to spend money.

Next: Real Story Behind the Surprising Staal Trade to the Sabres

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