Advertisement

Canucks fined $50K

 
Published June 29, 2016

VANCOUVER — The NHL fined the Canucks $50,000 on Tuesday for tampering after general manager Jim Benning mentioned players the team might pursue — including Lightning captain Steven Stamkos.

Benning noted the Canucks' interest in Stamkos and Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban last week in a radio interview before the draft in Buffalo, N.Y.

League rules bar teams from discussing players under contract. The exception is during a window of opportunity that opened Saturday, when all teams can contact pending free agents. Free agency begins Friday, with Stamkos the biggest target for several teams. Benning spoke before that window.

"Last week I was trying to be candid with our fans and media about our efforts to improve our team but said too much about players on other teams," Benning said.

Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said Benning "crossed the line" in divulging trade conversations involving Subban, who is signed through 2021-22.

Penguins: Matt Cullen, 39, will play at least another season, and GM Jim Rutherford said the team wants to re-sign him.