[News] Dim Jim Benning getting investigated for tampering.

[FanIn80]

"The crazy thing is I called Patrick Kane the other day to ask him to request a trade to Vancouver, and he hung up on me. I don't get it. It's like no one wants to talk to me now."

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

I don't see how a GM didn't have bells ringing off in his head when talking about those players. You'd think a GM would know better. It's one thing when it's a coach (Ron Wilson) who isn't paid to know the CBA but a GM?

Even as I listened to him speak I knew what he was saying was breaking tampering rules.
The Canucks and their fans couldn't have found a better GM that they deserve.

He didn't violate the CBA. He violated the NHL by-laws. The word tamper only appears in the CBA once, and it has nothing to do with what Benning did.

Benning deserved to be fined based on the current rules. I feel it's too bad that what he said is an offense. If a GM wants to say that he'll call up a pending UFA in two days, I think that should be allowed. If he says he will call up another GM to ask about a current player, I'd allow it. He's going to do what he says, and this way the fans can actually get some information instead of the scripted answers that don't give anything away. If a GM with loose lips wants to talk, I say you let him. I'd prefer the GM of the team I cheer for doesn't, but if others want to, have at 'er.

[Machiavelli]

The by-laws aren't public, are they?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

The by-laws aren't public, are they?

There is a copy floating around on the internet when the courts in Arizona accidentally made files from the Coyotes bankruptcy hearings public.

But that might be outdated now.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

He didn't violate the CBA. He violated the NHL by-laws. The word tamper only appears in the CBA once, and it has nothing to do with what Benning did.

Benning deserved to be fined based on the current rules. I feel it's too bad that what he said is an offense. If a GM wants to say that he'll call up a pending UFA in two days, I think that should be allowed. If he says he will call up another GM to ask about a current player, I'd allow it. He's going to do what he says, and this way the fans can actually get some information instead of the scripted answers that don't give anything away. If a GM with loose lips wants to talk, I say you let him. I'd prefer the GM of the team I cheer for doesn't, but if others want to, have at 'er.

Scenario:

I'm a pending UFA with an offer on the table from my current team that's set to expire at 11:59PM right before other teams are allowed to contact me. I'm wavering back and forth on whether or not I should sign it, because I wouldn't mind seeing if I could land a spot on a Canadian team. My agent has suggested that I should accept the offer, because he thinks it's a pretty good deal. He also thinks the only Canadian team that might have room for me is Vancouver, so holding out in hopes that a single team makes me an offer is pretty risky. I'm just about to call my agent to tell him I'll sign, when I suddenly get about 15 text messages from friends telling me that the Vancouver GM just said on the radio that he's going to make me an offer as soon as he's allowed to. Whew! Am I ever glad I hesitated! Looks like I'm off to Vancouver for next season!

Still think GMs should be able to publicly announce their intentions prior to the start of the official negotiation period?

[Coach]

Yeah, I actually don't mind him leaking the Subban offer. I mean, I don't know the bylaws, but it seems showing interest in trading for a player under contract should be fair game to me, no? I feel like it happens all the time, or is it all just media leaks?

The Stamkos thing is definitely offside as described above.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Scenario:

I'm a pending UFA with an offer on the table from my current team that's set to expire at 11:59PM right before other teams are allowed to contact me. I'm wavering back and forth on whether or not I should sign it, because I wouldn't mind seeing if I could land a spot on a Canadian team. My agent has suggested that I should accept the offer, because he thinks it's a pretty good deal. He also thinks the only Canadian team that might have room for me is Vancouver, so holding out in hopes that a single team makes me an offer is pretty risky. I'm just about to call my agent to tell him I'll sign, when I suddenly get about 15 text messages from friends telling me that the Vancouver GM just said on the radio that he's going to make me an offer as soon as he's allowed to. Whew! Am I ever glad I hesitated! Looks like I'm off to Vancouver for next season!

Still think GMs should be able to publicly announce their intentions prior to the start of the official negotiation period?

Fair point, and scenario. I would guess the message that the GM would be wanting to talk to, and/or offering a contract to, the pending UFA would still be getting to the players, agents, and teams. At least this way it would be public.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

Fair point, and scenario. I would guess the message that the GM would be wanting to talk to, and/or offering a contract to, the pending UFA would still be getting to the players, agents, and teams. At least this way it would be public.

But it shouldn't be getting to the pending UFA and his agent. That would severely hamper the existing team's ability to re sign the player.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

The by-laws aren't public, are they?

Originally Posted by sureLoss

There is a copy floating around on the internet when the courts in Arizona accidentally made files from the Coyotes bankruptcy hearings public.

But that might be outdated now.

I had them saved, along with the NHL constitution:

Three PDFs in one zip file; just used filedropper because I'm too lazy to look for something better:

http://www.filedropper.com/nhlbylaws

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Yeah, I actually don't mind him leaking the Subban offer. I mean, I don't know the bylaws, but it seems showing interest in trading for a player under contract should be fair game to me, no? I feel like it happens all the time, or is it all just media leaks?

The Stamkos thing is definitely offside as described above.

Media leaks. The NHL's rules are pretty simple: You don't talk about another team's player's contract or trade status. Period.

[McG]

Fair enough for Mr. Benning wanting to be "open and honest" with his fans, but there is another old adage that applies more; "loose lips sink ships".

That is a $50k ship today.

[Vulcan]

I can't believe an NHL GM wouldn't know that you can't talk about other team's players. I guess Chiarelli taught him everything he knows.