Dallas Stars Under Investigation For Breaking CBA Rules During the Holidays
The Dallas Stars could be in big trouble with the NHL, being investigated for trying to circumvent the rules in the CBA regarding practices during the holidays.
Traditionally teams are expected to use the few days of Christmas Eve until Boxing Day in order to recover, enjoy time with family and focus on being less of an athlete and more of a human being and not have to focus on being a hockey player 24/7.
However, it seems like the Dallas Stars didn't want to take the foot off the gas pedal, and now will be potentially in a cauldron of hot water with the NHL. According to Joseph Zita, The Leafs Nation writer reported the league was looking into the team for breaking the CBA rules around holidays.
The news was originally broken by Robert Tiffin, former SB Nation writer and beat correspondent for the Dallas Stars on X.
What This Means For The Dallas Stars
Though he probably didn't mean to, head coach Peter DeBoer let the act out of the bag and admitted he held a practice on Dec. 26 when speaking to media on the 27th.
But as I started walking in, you know, up front you've got Bourque and Bäck and Stankoven and Wyatt Johnston's still a young guy, and on the back end you've got Bichsel, and Lundkvist and Harley are still young guys, so, you know, we've incorporated a lot of young players into this lineup over the last couple years.»
While it's great that DeBoer wants to get his young guns ready for the second half, his admittance to breaking the rules in a big no-no. His media availability was scrubbed from their site, and a PR representative stated they are cooperating with the league.
DeBoer also admitted that he was aware the league was investigating them but tried to play it cool when pressed for comments:
I'm assuming if the League's looking into it, I made a mistake somewhere there.
We'll see what that investigation comes up with.»
Provided, however, if December 26 falls on a Saturday and the League has scheduled NHL Games on such date, December 23 may be substituted as an off-day for all purposes, including travel, instead of December 26."
- Section 16.5(b) of the NHL and NHLPA's Collective Bargaining Agreement
It's not the first time a team has broken the rules either.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were fined $100,000 for violating the travel restrictions in 2022, meanwhile the Philadelphia Flyers (coincidentally coached then by current Leafs bench boss Craig Berube) got the same treatment in 2015.
No doubt the NHL is going to come down hard on the Stars for this, especially with a new CBA being discussed. It's great that Dallas wants to prep their young stars and ensure a work-hard mentality, but there are these rules in place for a reason.
We will update you on any subsequent punishment and news regarding Dallas' violation of the CBA.
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DECEMBRE 28 | 1254 ANSWERS Dallas Stars Under Investigation For Breaking CBA Rules During the Holidays Do you think the NHL needs harsher punishments for teams who break the rules? | ||
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