Insider Reveals NHL's Likely Decision on Tampering Involving Vegas and Mitch Marner
Photo credit: Vegas Golden Knights - X
If the NHL is going to punish Vegas for potentially tampering with Mitch Marner, that may be a long shot according to NHL Insider Chris Johnston.
As the Mitch Marner saga officially concluded in Toronto with his sign and trade to Vegas, both sides are looking to move past the last nine years and look towards the future.
Marner seemingly seems thrilled to be getting a new start in Vegas, and while the Maple Leafs will certainly miss his offensive prowess, their movement in a new direction and change in philosophy almost made Marner's departure a necessary evil.
Marner tampering case a non-issue: Chris Johnston
But given the logistics and how last-minute things were, initial reports showed that the Golden Knights may have been trying to lure Marner over before the July 1 opening, and his subsequent trade; a big no-no for the NHL.
There were talks of contract tampering if the Maple Leafs didn't get the proper pieces, or Vegas rescinded on the deal only to have Marner sign a day later, and those threats were very valid considering the league has dealt with several instances in the past.
According to NHL Insider Chris Johnston however, it seems that all of that craziness surrounding the potential tampering issue has died down, and seems very unlikely the league pursues Vegas:
I'd be surprised if it resulted in any kind of punishment; I don't believe the Leafs are pursuing that.
It makes total sense given the Leafs were able to bring in Nicolas Roy, and have all parties agree to a deal, and there's no real reason to go after Vegas since they've shown no indication of any wrongdoing.
Vegas' gamble on Mitch Marner paid off
The optics did look terrible however, with Marner seeking housing arrangements prior to the trade, and his interrogative nature during the 4 Nations regarding how Vegas was as a hockey and living destination.
If Vegas didn't trade Roy to Toronto, or another suitable piece, then decided to still sign Marner, the Maple Leafs would no doubt have tried to get the NHL to punish Vegas; a punishment that could have negated Marner's deal with the team.
Call it blackmail, or a bit of dishonest business, but at the end of the day, Brad Treliving was not going to let Mitch Marner go for nothing.
Whether that would have involved giving Vegas their comeuppance through the iron fist of Gary Bettman will forever be unknown.
Thankfully for Vegas, they'll never have to find out.
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