In hindsight? Yes. In 1992? Not even close. The arbitrator later admitted it himself, but said that he didn't think the Blues' offer was fair and so he was left with no other choice but to give the Devils Shanahan. I think it was said that had the Blues offered Jeff Brown, the Devils would have gotten Brown but I'd have to track down notes that I have buried in the closet to confirm this; I do recall that a Blues player not named Hull, Oates or Stevens was specifically mentioned in the "if they has offered him, I would have awarded him" comment
The tampering thing ...
I'm not pissed at the Devils for reporting it like most Blues fans are (actually, they got help from someone with the Blues on it) - I'm pissed at Jack Quinn and Ron Caron for doing it.
Edward J. Houston - the arbitrator who made the infamous ruling.