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NHL Makes Final Verdict On Player Tampering Accusations of Blackhawks Tyler Bertuzzi

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Joshua Deeds
December 12, 2024 (10:50 PM)

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NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman has revealed to us the charges teams will face for tampering during free agency in July.

The Chicago Blackhawk's own Nick Foligno and Tyler Bertuzzi were two players who were thought to be in trouble. They had a casual conversation before the start of free agency in July which led to a contract signing with the Hawks.

According to Bertuzzi, the Blackhawks were never on his radar until Nick Foligno reached out to him.

He would later sign a 4-year, $22 Million deal with GM Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks.

"Chicago wasn't really on my radar and then the day before free agency, Nick Foligno called me and said, 'You know they're a little bit interested' and I was obviously excited about that and then kind of things went on from there."

"I grew up in Sudbury and played for the Copper Cliff Redmen (association) and they had the Blackhawks logo," Bertuzzi said. "So it's kind of full-circle."

The charges for tampering by any NHL team and player are significant and have been revealed by The 32 Thoughts Podcast Elliotte Friedman.

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"The NHL didn't like how July 1 went last year," Friedman said, referencing a flurry of early signings getting announced. "They reminded everybody of the potential tampering penalties if you are caught."

The move would attract attention, along with many other plays who signed a flurry of deals at the start of free agency.

But after the lengthy investigation, it appears that neither the Chicago Blackhawks, Kyle Davidson, Tyler Bertuzzi, or Nick Foligno are charged with tampering.

For the Blackhawks and GM Kyle Davidson to be guilty of tampering the team would have to utilize leverage for Bertuzzi to sign a deal in Chicago.

Whereas it was found that the casual conversation between Nick Foligno and Bertuzzi was harmless.

Instead, the Deputy Commissioner of the NHL has opted to remind teams of the penalties to make July 1st a little more measured affair this year.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

NHL Analyst Expresses Concerns About the Chicago Blackhawks and Connor Bedard's Development

Blackhawks Bedard Stares Down Islanders Fan After Sweet Toe Drag Release Goal

Gary Bettman Announces New League-Wide Broadcast Change That Starts With The Blackhawks

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DECEMBRE 12 \| 99 ANSWERS NHL Makes Final Verdict On Player Tampering Accusations of Blackhawks Tyler Bertuzzi Did NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman's report on suspected tampering with the Chicago Blackhawks surprise you?
Yes	18	18.2 %
No, there was no tampering	81	81.8 %
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NHL Makes Final Verdict On Player Tampering Accusations of Blackhawks Tyler Bertuzzi

NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman has revealed to us the charges teams will face for tampering during free agency in July.

Did NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman's report on suspected tampering with the Chicago Blackhawks surprise you?