Quote:
Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction
I am not sure that Philly can or should be responsible.
But I do wonder what the rules are about being able to have a player report to the team while under contract. Hartman was a pending free agent, so technically under contract until July 1st and failed to report to the team that he was under contract to (the Stars).
While in Hartman's eyes, it might have seemed like he was "off duty" and could go off the grid, I wonder if there is anything in the contract that says that they have to report any time if summoned. Could Hartman be punished for failing to report?
Maybe Dallas could make a case with the league and NHLPA that either gives them more time to negotiate or even make Hartman forfeit his UFA status.
Just spit balling.
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This is the weirdest part to me - that he was "off duty" before his contract was done.
It's one thing to be traded unexpectedly and be off the grid, but I assumed that during these off-seasons players would be very much "on duty". Even if your agent is handling everything, I assumed that final "ok" came from the player with pen-to-paper.