NHL Eyeing Blackhawks Recent Signing for Potential Investigation
Tyler Bertuzzi’s admission that Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno reached out to him before NHL free agency began has raised concerns about potential tampering, prompting the league to investigate. A report suggests that the NHL is closely scrutinizing how many players are signing in the opening minutes of free agency, suspecting pre-free agency talks are taking place. Although the league has investigated cases like John Tavares signing in the past, tampering charges are rare.
In his *32 Thoughts* column, Elliotte Friedman revealed that the NHL is paying particular attention to Bertuzzi’s recent deal. The league is exploring whether there was a breach of free agency negotiation rules after Bertuzzi reportedly communicated with the Blackhawks before July 1, the official start of free agency.
While it wasn’t the Blackhawks who directly reached out, tampering rules prohibit teams from engaging in discussions with players under contract. However, Foligno’s call, which was described as a casual conversation about Bertuzzi potentially joining the team, complicates the situation. There’s no evidence that specific contract terms were discussed or that the conversation went beyond gauging interest.
The NHL is cautious about situations where tampering appears too blatant, particularly when players are still under contract. As Friedman noted, the league can act without a formal complaint, citing the investigation into Tavares’ signing, which occurred without the Islanders’ involvement. If the league deems further scrutiny necessary, they will investigate.
While it’s uncertain what consequences Bertuzzi or the Blackhawks may face, the NHL has a range of potential disciplinary actions, from a public reprimand to more severe penalties, such as fines or suspensions, depending on the outcome of the investigation. Teams are reminded to be cautious as the league closely monitors pre-free agency interactions.
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