Rumour: The NHL attempting to influence teams to delay any trades
The NHL is rumoured to have requested that teams hold off on announcing any significant trades or signings for one specific reason.
The league wants to keep the focus on the Stanley Cup, which may be awarded as soon as this evening's Game 4 between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers.
While the Oilers and Panthers battle away for hockey's greatest prize, there are 30 other teams patiently waiting to take care of some important off-ice business before the NHL Entry Draft, which is slated to take place in two weeks, and free agency, which will kick off on July 1st.
Viewership is reportedly way up for these playoffs, and commissioner Gary Bettman is believed to be focused on keeping the attention on the Cup Finals rather than a big trade or signing occurring on the same day that the Cup may be awarded.
Obviously, it makes sense from a marketing standpoint to want to keep the attention on the Cup, rather than on the teams who are not currently competing for it.
If this rumour rings true, we could see a flurry of activity around the league as early as Sunday or Monday. If we don't see the activity level rising in the coming week, it will make for one heck or an exciting draft weekend.
| POLL | ||
15 JUIN | 249 ANSWERS Rumour: The NHL attempting to influence teams to delay any trades Do you think Gary Bettman would actually ask teams to hold off on announcing big trades or signings before the Stanley Cup is awarded? | ||
| Yes, seems like something he'd do | 176 | 70.7 % |
| No, Bettman wants all of the headlines he can get | 26 | 10.4 % |
| I don't see teams caring what Bettman thinks | 47 | 18.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
