Maple Leafs fined by NHL after Canucks allege tampering regarding Sedin twins

NHL fines Maple Leafs for tampering

NEW YORK — The NHL fined the Toronto Maple Leafs an undisclosed amount after ruling that coach Ron Wilson was guilty of tampering when he expressed interest in Vancouver Canucks forwards Henrik and Daniel Sedin before they reached free agency.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly announced the penalty Wednesday in a news release. Wilson made reference to the Canucks twins during an interview when they were still under contract with the Canucks. Both players reached new deals to stay with Vancouver.

A separate charge by the Canucks against the Maple Leafs was dismissed by the NHL.

Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis was upset after a recent Leafs TV segment showed Toronto GM Brian Burke talking about a rumored Vancouver-Tampa Bay trade. Burke said Alex Burrows and Kevin Bieksa could be heading to the Lightning, but the deal never happened.

Calling those actions “unfortunate and inappropriate,” Daly said that didn’t constitute a tampering offense under league rules. He warned the Leafs against doing something similar in the future.

The NHL hopes this will end a story that gained momentum after Gillis discussed it on a Vancouver radio station earlier this week.

“Both (teams) have been instructed to refrain from further public comment of any kind relating to these matters.” Daly said in the statement. “From the league’s perspective, this matter is closed. We will make no further comment.”