Gary Bettman Threatens Chicago Blackhawks, Tyler Bertuzzi And Others In Recent Statement Released By NHL

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Sam Walker
December 2, 2024 (11:58 PM)

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There's been talk of tampering during the last free agency in July, and now Gary Bettman and company are preparing to punish teams guilty of the practice.

According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun mentioned that the topic of tampering would be addressed during GM meetings in November.

LeBrun reported that Bill Daly had concerns about deals that went through on July 1st, right after the opening of free agency.

TSN Reporter LeBrun gives us an idea of what could occur to teams who use extraordinary methods of recruiting.

"Yeah, it was on the agenda and it was part of Bill Daly's address to GM's. The Deputy Commissioner had a number of items to go over but that was one of
them, and in asking Bill Daly about it after the meeting today, Gino, what Bill Daly said is that he was 'uncomfortable,' to use his words, about some of the reports that he saw last year leading into July 1st, as far as deals that seemed to be done before July
1st.

You know, obviously, many of us reporting on those deals, and so Daly said he reminded GMs of the rules that are in place and also the potential discipline for tampering; anywhere from fines to loss of draft picks, really at the discretion of the league[...]

There are mechanisms in place to get around some of this, but it certainly sounded like a stern warning from Bill Daly to GMs today when it comes to July 1st."

It looks like the NHL and Bill Daly will begin serious investigations into allegations of tampering. Could Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks be one of the teams who are in Daly's targets?

Like Cousins in his introductory press conference, Bertuzzi may have confirmed that tampering occurred with his new team before the start of free agency on July 1.

«Chicago wasn't really on my radar,» Bertuzzi said via CHGO Blackhawks. «And then, the day before free agency, Nick Foligno called me and he said, 'They're a little bit interested.' I was excited, obviously, about that, and then things kind of went from there.»

Those guilty of tampering could face severe fines and penalties including a seven-figure bill, and dismissal, and teams involved could find themselves paying a fine, asset forfeiture, and contract terminations.

"Earlier this week, the NHL sent out a memo. Now, you'll remember, at the GM meetings, they warned teams about tampering.

They didn't like how July 1st went last year with a bunch of signings announced right afternoon, and also they warned about not only players, but teams' employees, like coaches, and managers; other people who worked in the front office, and they said they reminded everybody these are the potential tampering penalties if you are caught for teams or individuals, so they are trying to tell people 'If you get caught, we are going to punish you.'"

While there have been no official confirmations of tampering yet, we should expect to see action being made on these claims of tampering soon.