NHL stars on the Price Is Right Tonight comment on recent wave of trades

With players controlling the narrative in so many National Hockey League trades with their contract clauses it's a new ball game.

Published Jun 24, 2026  •  3 minute read

Bowen Byram of the Buffalo Sabres takes a shot during a NHL playoff game this past April. Getty Images

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source 

Article content

With the NHL’s shopping and shifting summer season nuts as ever, what better time for some of its stars to ‘come on down’ to a taping of The Price Is Right Tonight? 

Article content

Article content

Matthew Schaefer, Tom Wilson, Brandon Montour, Jake Walman and the retired Wendel Clark teamed up with contestants at the CBC’s Toronto studios for a league-themed segment Wednesday to coordinate with early October’s launch of the schedule and the game show’s second season in Canada.  

Before helping the fans bid on everyday items, play classic show games such as Plinko, Freeze Frame, Let ‘Em Roll or spin the money wheel for the showcase, the players reflected on a busy week in their industry. 

Captain Brady Tkachuk, after telling the Ottawa Senators he was not going to re-sign, gave them really no choice except works a trade with Florida to join brother Matthew. Ottawa received three first-round picks and a second.  

Bowen Byram, seeking a bigger role on defence, was moved from the Buffalo Sabres to Chicago.

Article content

Article content

Washington acquired forward Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues for forward Connor McMichael, prospect forward Milton Gastrin and their 2026 first-round pick — requiring Kyrou to lift a no-trade clause. 

Morgan Rielly did likewise with the Maple Leafs to let them seek a deal closer to his routes in British Columbia, with one of four Western Conference teams the defenceman has approved.  

WHY DO SOME PLAYERS HAVE THE UPPER HAND?

“It seems the players being asked to move or trying to move, have been out of the playoffs a number of years,” Seattle defenceman Montour observed. “That gets draining.” 

“I’ve been on both sides, I’ve won (a Cup with Florida) and been on bad teams that haven’t made it (four years out of playoffs with Buffalo). All you want is a chance to get in playoffs and win a Stanley Cup. 

“I’ve read and heard of conversations around the league about trying to get around (players controlling the narrative), but players have their rights and teams are always finding their ways to get rid of you or keep you. I’m sure they’ll come up with a conclusion, but at this point players are pushing the needle.” 

Article content

Wilson was thrilled to add a fellow Torontonian in Kyrou to the Caps. 

“Some players will (control their own destinations; some won’t,” Wilson said. “I’ve loved being in one place and hope I never have to wear another jersey. But some guys want to change teams willingly. To each their own.

“If a player wants to find a better situation, I’m all for it and also for wanting to stay and grind away for a championship.” 

What does the rookie of the year think?

Schaefer is the New York Islanders’ 18-year-old rookie of the year, a few seasons removed from having to deal with the late-June volatility. 

“It’s crazy,” he said of catching up to the deals. “If you’re not getting moved because you like your spot, then it’s fun.  

Clark made less than $500,000 in his early years with the Leafs, like Schaeffer, as a No. 1 overall pick. 

Read More

1. 

   Morgan Rielly's agent gives Leafs four teams for which defenceman will OK a trade

2. 

   How it got to this point for Morgan Rielly and the Maple Leafs

“I’m old-school, but it’s a new thing that’s coming, players having the clout to say ‘I want to play here or there.’ But you can’t pick where you’re going to win. It’s too hard,” Clark said.

“If you’re doing it because you want change or you’re not happy, I understand that. You only have a window of 4 to 15 years, so you’d better have fun playing.

“But Carolina came through this year, probably the only team that didn’t have any injuries. Nobody would’ve picked that.” 

[email protected] 

X: @sunhornby 

Article content