NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly Puts All GM's on Notice for League Tampering
NHL General Managers have been put on notice after reports that teams spoke with four free agents before they were allowed to, leading to concerns about tampering
General Managers from around the NHL are taking part in annual meetings this week to discuss the state of the league and potential changes. But an address given by Bill Daly and recounted by Pierre LeBrun of TSN's Insider Trading is getting the most attention so far.
In the latest edition of Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun states NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told GMs in his opening remarks to ensure they are following the rules when it comes to player contracts. There was a specific concern with teams negotiating contracts with upcoming free agents when they aren't supposed to be doing so.
LeBrun asked Daly if he could expand on the remarks following his address.
He reminded GMs of the rules that are in place, and also some of the potential discipline for tempering. Anywhere from fines, to loss of draft picks. It's really at the discretion of the league how those things play out."
Bill Daly's reminder to GMs was called a "stern warning" by Pierre LeBrun.
A report from The Score on the NHL Deputy Commissioner's warning to NHL GMs on contract tampering lists four players who reportedly had deals in place with teams before free agency opened on July 1, including Tyler Bertuzzi (Chicago Blackhawks), Brandon Montour (Seattle Kraken, Tyler Toffoli (San Jose Sharks), and Brett Pesce (New Jersey Devils).
It's somewhat sad that professional GMs have to be reminded of these simple rules. All it takes is for one or two to break them before all of them are doing it. Nip it in the bid now before it gets much worse.
| POLL | ||
Are you ok with NHL GMs talking to upcoming free agents before free agency opens? | ||
| No, follow the rules | 65 | 63.1 % |
| Yes, whatever it takes to win | 31 | 30.1 % |
| I'm not sure | 7 | 6.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
