More Rule Bending.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From The Globe and Mail :

The Toronto Maple Leafs are under investigation for tampering because of comments made by head coach Ron Wilson about the club’s interest in Daniel and Henrik Sedin prior to the free-agent deadline on July 1.

Leafs general manager Brian Burke confirmed yesterday that the NHL has informed him that the league will examine potential tampering because of remarks made by the Leafs coach in an interview with a Toronto radio station last week.

“The league has indicated that they are looking into it, so we will have no public commentary at this time,†Burke said yesterday when asked to respond to a column published by the Vancouver Province last weekend in which an unnamed NHL executive remarked that what Wilson said was a “clear-cut case of tampering.â€

Team improvement, by any means necessary. Do it, then hope you don't get caught.

[StevieY9802 6]

This is so stupid imo. All he said on the radio was that if the twins had hit the market they would have gone after them. OH NO!! He said what every f'in person in the media was saying that the twins could end up back with Brian Burke.

[edicius 3,269]

Eh, nothing will happen anyway. It's Burke's team.

But honestly, this is just as ridiculous as the claims of tampering with Babcock before we signed Hossa. Perhaps a little more substantial (as the "tampering" in question was on a radio station instead of allegedly overheard on the ice), but still ridiculous.

[Snazzy 0]

Saying they would pursue a player is "tampering"?

I thought this was going to be something juicy, like Burke broke into their homes a 3am and was "tampering" with their stuff.

[StevieY9802 6]

But honestly, this is just as ridiculous as the claims of tampering with Babcock before we signed Hossa. Perhaps a little more substantial (as the "tampering" in question was on a radio station instead of allegedly overheard on the ice), but still ridiculous.

Still stupid, both situations. So tampering is now the Leafs saying they had a plan for free agency and the twins were #1 on the list. They were planning on going after players?!?!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

If anything comes of this I'll be extremely embarrassed for the NHL. What a waste of time.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Hahaha, this is why no one respects the NHL. If I was Wilson, I'd say the same goddamn thing. He didnt do anything wrong.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

This is so stupid imo. All he said on the radio was that if the twins had hit the market they would have gone after them. OH NO!! He said what every f'in person in the media was saying that the twins could end up back with Brian Burke.

Quoted for truth.

This stuff happens pretty frequently... The Leafs didn't even land the Sedins, so wouldn't it be "intent to tamper"?

[StevieY9802 6]

I was just thinking, I wonder if this is the NHL getting back at Burke for the hissyfit he through when Kevin Lowe said if the Ducks didn't want Bobby Ryan that the Oilers would take him. Again the fact that the NHL looked into either situation is quite sad. Tampering is not saying you think a guy is good or you wish he was on your team or if someone hit the market you would have gone after them. Players call other players all the time well before July 1st and say stuff to pending FA's. Hell Cheli said he had guys talking to him during the season and the NHL is looking at this? Come on.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From Toronto Star :

...

Leafs GM Brian Burke escaped with just a warning for his comments broadcast in a Leafs TV documentary that the Canucks were shopping defenceman Kevin Bieksa and forward Alex Burrows at the NHL draft.

...

But the NHL fined the Leafs nonetheless – an undisclosed amount – for comments coach Ron Wilson made in late June when he said he believed Burke would try to make an offer for Henrik and Daniel Sedin.

...

Edited October 8, 2009 by cusimano_brothers

[OsGOD 3]

the media should not be afforded any type of interviews from here on out... they are tampering with LIFE!

[Buppy 1,720]

I can see how talking about another team's free agents prior to the opening would be tampering. If a pending free agent knows another team is interested, it could be used as leverage for more money, or incentive to not sign a contract . For star players like the Sedins it may not matter, but for midrange players it might make a difference, and you can't have a double standard.

[Hack & Whack Rule! 160]

Pile of bulls***! It's like anyone could argue that there would be nobody interested in the Sedins if they weren't signed. At what point does thinking about a player become tampering? If two members of a team's management chat about someone, make notes, and let a comment slip while using adjacent stalls in the bathroom, this is considered tampering? This league is going to go down in history as one of the biggest jokes of all time.

The players weren't contacted and neither was the team. If there is anyone that thinks the Sedins would go unsigned, they are a fool.

[Redline 0]

When are these other teams going to finally come up to speed, learn how to cheat within the rules.

[mmamolo 287]

Although it's common knowledge that there'd be interest in pending UFAs I do see how someone actually coming out and saying that if the Sedins hit the market we will be pursuing causes trouble in ongoing contract negotiations with their current team. At the same time I do agree with what most in this thread are saying that it's already common knowledge and therefore wont change anything.

I heard this morning the Leafs were fined 25k which is pennies to them, it's not even a slap on the wrist. In my opinion the only reason the NHL even looked into this is because the Canucks apparently raised a stink which makes me think that negotiations must have been a little tougher after Wilson's comments otherwise why bother? Either way, this stuff happens all the time so who cares really

[55fan 5,133]

This just in: Teams want good players.

Seriously, if they had mentioned an amount that they would be willing to pay, or even that they were looking into a long-term deal, I think a case could be made for tampering, but as it is, if all they said was that they were interested, they weren't saying anything that any team with enough cap room wasn't thinking. I don't think the twins are arrogant, but they must know that they are good enough that they would be a sought-after commodity.

Plus they'd have missed out on a chance to play with Sammy. Anyone else want to see the Homliest Swede Line?

[Buppy 1,720]

But you can't have a double standard. For all the Sedins out there there are more Kopeckys, Moens, Griers, etc. If you're a GM with a player like that and you want to keep them, and you're fighting the cap, the last thing you want is some other team expressing interest. There goes your chance to sign the player for a discount prior to the free agency opening.

There's no reason for any team representatives to talk about that stuff publically or to people outside thier organization (in fact, if there was any benefit it would make a better argument for not allowing it), so they shouldn't do it. A moderate fine is appropriate.

[AtomicPunk 296]

So if a GM is being interviewed in the off-season and someone asks them if they would like to sign "X" free agent, from now on they have to say "No Comment". Nice. If the player is a free agent and is going to hit the open market on July 1, how is that tampering? If he says "Sure, that guy would be a great fit on our team", that's tampering? Please...