Brad Treliving and other NHL GMs facing millions of dollars in fines

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Daniel Lucente
December 1, 2024 (1:31 PM)

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The NHL and Gary Bettman are beginning a heavy crackdown on free agency tampering, which means Brad Treliving and other GMs could face major fines.

The NHL is cracking down on tampering, warning teams and individuals that hefty penalties will be assessed for those who break the rules.

Last week, the league sent out a memo outlining severe consequences for violations, no doubt prompted by the wave of signings at this past year's free agency opening on July 1.

For years, fans have speculated that players and agents find ways around tampering rules since so many major free agents seem to have deals ready at the beginning of free agency.

The league's new stance seems to suggest those days may be ending. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman detailed the potential punishments, and they're massive.

For Teams:

- Fines up to $5 million.
- Contract terminations.
- Loss of draft picks.
- Compensation in draft picks or cash to the affected team.

For Individuals:

- Fines up to $1 million.
- Suspension or expulsion from the NHL.

It was a memo that basically served as a warning: violations will be met with these harsh penalties. It would appear that the NHL is ready to make examples out of anyone caught, thus raising the stakes for players, agents, and teams.

With the severity of the warning, one can hardly conceive that anyone would risk these punishments. The league makes it very clear: tampering will no longer be tolerated.