NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman threatens all 32 NHL clubs

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Jack Sutherland
December 2, 2024 (9:28 PM)

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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has officially put every team on notice - they'll be facing harsh penalties if they're caught going against League rules.

If any NHL club goes against the rules in place, they'd better be prepared to face considerable penalties.

Respected NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman noted during a recent taping of "Saturday Headlines" that the League is serious about imposing harsh penalties on any team or individual within an organization caught breaking the rules.

They warned about not only players but team's employees like coaches and managers and other people who worked in the front office.

There were several contracts were signed almost immediately after the free agency period began on July 1

The NHL didn't like how July 1 went last year. "They reminded everybody of the potential tampering penalties if you are caught.

Tyler Bertuzzi was one player who admitted to talking with Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno about a new contract before the official start of free agency on July 1.

Among the penalties that an organization and/or an individual within the organization can expect to face if they're caught breaking the rules include the following:

Teams:
A fine of up to $5 million.
Termination of any contracts signed.
Forfeiture of draft picks.
Awarding draft picks and/or cash to the "offended" club.

Individuals:
A fine of up to $1 million.
Suspension or expulsion from the NHL.

Meanwhile, fellow respected insider Pierre LeBrun noted that there are legal ways to begin early negotiations with free agent players.

The NHL has strict tampering rules, but there are ways to work within them.