Canucks Issue Notice To Teams For Possible Tampering With One Or Several Of Their Players
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Canucks have sent out a warning to teams around the league for what they call possible tampering with players.
Tampering had become a growing issue within the NHL, particularly in the lead-up to free agency as some teams will attempt to reach out to unrestricted free agents between the NHL Entry Draft and July 1, when contracts technically run through June 30, a gross violation of league policy.
Free agency is the biggest problem area for tampering, but mid-season teams will contact players rumored to be on the trade block without permission, and that's clearly agitated the Vancouver Canucks.
On Hockey Night in Canada's Saturday Headlines, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman had an update on the Canucks that featured one particularly noteworthy nugget.
It appears teams have attempted tampering with Canucks players
According to Friedman, the Canucks warned teams about tampering, but some clubs have since been given permission to speak with JT Miller, who earlier that day was reportedly close to being traded to the New York Rangers.
He added, 'I believe now at this time, some teams do have permission to talk to Miller. Not sure who it is, but I've hear there are some teams that have been granted permission to him.'
This will be one of the hot topics in the meetings between the NHL and the NHL Players Association when the time for the next Collective Bargaining Agreement takes center stage.
The solution may be to grant free agents a 24-hour period in which they can speak with teams before free agency opens on July 1, with strict punishment for earlier tampering.
The elimination of tampering will take much work, but it could very well be preserved with a well-defined solution that the league implements within the CBA.
