NHL Cracking Down, Reveals Penalties for Teams Caught Tampering, as Chicago Did with Tyler Bertuzzi
Photo credit: Bob DeChiara - USA Today Sports
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly has put NHL teams on notice, revealing very stiff penalties for any team caught tampering, as Chicago did with Tyler Bertuzzi this past summer.
Elliotte Friedman initially reported a few weeks ago that the Deputy Commissioner was uncomfortable with the possible tampering that took place during this year's free agency, which was supposed to kick off on July 1st.
Bill Daly was investigating due to several marquee free agents having their extensions announced before July 1st. That list of players included former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi as well as Brandon Montour, Tyler Toffoli, and Brett Pesce.
"What it says to me is the league is looking to punish someone who is overly blatant or not careful (and let's face it, many teams are just as guilty as the agents). But, the league doesn't need a complaint to act."
Pierre LeBrun then added that Daly was set to remind the general managers of the proper protocol and the possible fines and penalties involved if certain teams were caught tampering.
"As Bill Daly told me afterwards, more of a refresher, that the league has not talked about or emphasized the rules around tampering for a few years now and he felt now that it was time and I asked him why it was time and he said that he was, 'a little uncomfortable with some of the commentary in the media reported heading into July 1st last year.'"
Fast forward to last night when Friedman listed the possible penalties during his segment on Hockey Night in Canada, which included a fine of up to 5 million dollars, termination of contracts, and forfeiture of draft picks for the teams and a fine of up to one million dollars for the player and a possible suspension or expulsion.
It remains to be seen when the investigation will be complete, but in the case of Bertuzzi, it almost seems rather cut and dry with his admission that Nick Foligno called him the day before free agency to let him know the Chicago Blackhawks were interested - when they weren't on his radar to begin with.
If the Deputy Commissioner feels there was enough evidence of tampering, several teams and players could be in serious trouble.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 1 | 2591 ANSWERS NHL Cracking Down, Reveals Penalties for Teams Caught Tampering, as Chicago Did with Tyler Bertuzzi Do you believe there was tampering involved with Tyler Bertuzzi during free agency? | ||
| Yes | 2107 | 81.3 % |
| No | 484 | 18.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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