Leafs contend with tampering twitter over Sedin signings

[lakingsfan19]

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Le...907/story.html

By Jason Botchford, The ProvinceJuly 3, 2009

For a couple of days now, Internet message boards have been humming with amateur sleuths who have been trying to determine if the Toronto Maple Leafs should be investigated for tampering with the Sedin twins.

Even if most media have ignored this story, they are not alone.

Privately, team execs have been wondering the same thing. Did Leafs coach Ron Wilson breach NHL bylaws on a Toronto radio show when he suggested his team was targeting the Sedin twins a day before the start of free agency?

"I heard what he said and it seems to be a clear-cut case of tampering. He basically tells those two free agents: 'Hey, we're coming for you, wait for us,'" one NHL executive said. "There's not a question in my mind. It could have left the Canucks high and dry. Look at what he said, then look at what (Leafs GM) Brian Burke did. He flew to Sweden."

On June 30, Wilson was on Prime Time Sports, hosted by Bob McCown on The FAN590 in Toronto. He was asked an abstract question about the difference between North American and European players. Wilson quickly got off track, turned his attention toward the twins. He implied the Leafs planned to go after the Sedins on July 1 when they were scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.

Wilson said: "You're hearing right now, and this sounds very contradictory but, there's a real possibility, I would think, that we would be going after the Sedins. Let's just speculate there."

Later it was learned that just after Wilson made those comments, Burke was on his way to Sweden on an overnight transatlantic flight.

The NHL's rigid tampering rules leave almost no wiggle room. The punishment is severe and can include fines, suspensions, and loss of draft picks. And the NHL vowed it would take any tampering case seriously heading into this free agent season.

Recently, each NHL team received stern memos which they had to sign off on, warning them about the league's strict tampering rules. Teams were warned the rules didn't just apply to GMs; they covered every employee and representative. Breaches were going to be dealt with severely. Under NHL bylaw, 15 organizational employees are not permitted to express interest in any player belonging to another NHL club.

The bylaw states tampering to be: "The making or causing to be made through any medium, public or private, any statement indicating any intention or desire of or interest in acquiring the services (of a player on another club)."

Burke is well-schooled in this area. Not only were there questions when he left the Anaheim Ducks, Burke himself accused Kevin Lowe of tampering after Lowe made a comment about how he liked Corey Perry and would take him in a trade on a radio station.

"It is our understanding that clubs are not entitled to express interest in a player belonging to another NHL organization," Burke said last summer.

"Our understanding is that such an expression of interest constitutes tampering."

According to NHL bylaw 15, Burke is right.

Making this case more serious are reports out of Toronto that Burke flew to Sweden on the eve of free agency because he was going to make a big-money offer to the Sedins.

The Sedins agreed to their deal with the Canucks only hours before becoming free agents and it happened while Burke was en route. The Sedins' agent JP Barry made it clear the Sedins spent a lot of time thinking about all of their options before signing.

Was one of those options Toronto? And, if so, could Wilson's comments have given the Sedins a heads up that Burke planned to make a big splash?

It should be something for the NHL to look into, not just the Internet sleuths. The league did not respond to phone calls or e-mails for this story.

[Boogeyman2383]

Silly Canadians and there sh*t

[blackngold]

This is a bunch of news-unworthy crap. So what that Wilson said he was planning on going after the Sedins? What's wrong with that? And it's become public news that Burke flew to Sweden to meet with that bigass goalie the Swedes have other there.
This is a ridiculous allegation.

[Skorka85]

Originally Posted by blackngold

This is a bunch of news-unworthy crap. So what that Wilson said he was planning on going after the Sedins? What's wrong with that? And it's become public news that Burke flew to Sweden to meet with that bigass goalie the Swedes have other there.
This is a ridiculous allegation.

Agreed, after about day one and a half of free agency it became a slow off season again, that's the only reason this is news. If a radio show host throws a name out there and a coach acknowledges he'd love to have that player on his team it's tampering?

Utterly ridiculous, and the accusation that Burke went to Sweden to beat the Canucks to the punch is equally as ridiculous.

[lakingsfan19]

I agree. I don't think anyone should lose a draft pick over this nonsense

[acd1]

Bettman needs to stop picking and choosing which rules he inforces. Wilson seems to have broken one. The Leafs should pay the price. It doesn't matter if the rules are stupid. Enforce them subjectively, or get rid of them.

[Boogeyman2383]

Originally Posted by blackngold

This is a bunch of news-unworthy crap. So what that Wilson said he was planning on going after the Sedins? What's wrong with that? And it's become public news that Burke flew to Sweden to meet with that bigass goalie the Swedes have other there.
This is a ridiculous allegation.

Couldn't agree more

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by acd1

Bettman needs to stop picking and choosing which rules he inforces. Wilson seems to have broken one. The Leafs should pay the price. It doesn't matter if the rules are stupid. Enforce them subjectively, or get rid of them.

What rule did Wilson break?
He didn't get in any kind of contact with the Sedins, he just told a reporter that he plans on getting in contact with them the next day. Show me a rule that prohibits that.

[goaliefighter]

Originally Posted by blackngold

What rule did Wilson break?
He didn't get in any kind of contact with the Sedins, he just told a reporter that he plans on getting in contact with them the next day. Show me a rule that prohibits that.

umm, it says it in the article. by law 15. actually, by law 15.1 section C to be exact. You are not allowed to even express interest in another player. Wilson clearly did that.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by goaliefighter

umm, it says it in the article. by law 15. actually, by law 15.1 section C to be exact. You are not allowed to even express interest in another player. Wilson clearly did that.

I stand corrected.