NHL source reveals 'tampering running rampant' during free agency
The NHL clearly has a tampering issue and an NHL insider has revealed that the problem is worse than ever.
In the previous collective Courtney agreement, the NHL had built in a one-week negotiation window which allowed teams to speak to upcoming free agents. This period allowed both players and teams to discuss potential deals before free agency officially opened. This allowed players a longer time to make life-altering decisions.
However, in the current CBA, the NHL made the decision to end this window. Instead the league opted to remove the window and instead implement the 12:00 p.m. July 1st deadline. The NHL has done a very poor job of enforcing that rule.
Over the last week fans have seen that tampering has reached an all new level in the NHL. Before 12:00 struck details of over 20 deals including term and dollar value had been revealed. This despite the fact that players were still under contract with their previous team.
Now a former NHL General Manager revealed that tampering has reached an all new level. So much so that both the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers were at a significant disadvantage as those teams were involved in a Stanley Cup finals while other teams were already speaking to upcoming free agents.
It appears the league needs to make a definitive statement at this time. Is it all right for teams to circumvent the contract? Or should teams have to abide by the rules set out in the collective bargaining agreement? If the league is simply willing to let teams do whatever they want then it will only lead to further issues.
| POLL | ||
What should the NHL do about tampering? | ||
| It needs to stop | 109 | 41.1 % |
| Bring back the negotiations window | 123 | 46.4 % |
| Just let it happen | 33 | 12.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
