Oops - just my brain checking out for a moment there. Maybe just the effect of a late night post, haha.
That's not exactly true. If you look at the conditions of his NTC, the NTC can be voided in the last 2 years if he's not top 9 for TOI or if we don't make the playoffs.
And if you're interested, so far this year, he's 7th in forwards for ice time - with AA, Frk and Nielsen below. If he plays himself below these 3 (i know, I know some will say he should already be there) or any newcomers: Ras, Svech, Tavaras(haha) then he won't have a NTC. Or if we're still out of the playoffs.