Flyers Violate CBA on Travel Issue (subsequently fined by NHL)

[Cody Webster]

According to Chris Johnston, the Flyers violated the CBA on their way to Nashville. Maybe the NHL can dock them points like they do in NASCAR



http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/flyers-violated-cba-by-travelling-on-boxing-day/

The Philadelphia Flyers appear to have violated the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement by travelling during the recent holiday break, Sportsnet has learned.

The team departed for Nashville at 8:24 p.m. ET on Dec. 26, according to their flight log on FlightAware, during what is considered a restricted period for team activity in the CBA.

Article 16.5 (b) in that document states: “December 24, Christmas Day, and December 26 shall be off-days for all purposes, including travel.â€

The Flyers refused comment through a spokesman when asked about the flight. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly did not respond to an email asking whether the team was under investigation.

The league has been busy looking into a number of incidents from Dec. 26 — a day when NHL games were traditionally played until a change was made in the most recent CBA. Under the deal ratified in January 2013, the holiday break was extended to three days.

Members of the Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers held informal skates on Dec. 26, but those organizations were cleared of any wrongdoing by the league because coaches weren’t on the ice and team officials were found to have played no part in organizing the activities.

Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf took responsibility for the skate in Anaheim and the NHL wrapped up its investigation of that situation on Friday.

“We are satisfied that the team was in compliance with the guidelines and protocol previously provided by the league for ‘off day’ activities,†Daly told the Los Angeles Times.

Philadelphia’s Dec. 26 flight appears to directly contradict the rules.

The NHL sent out a memo in early December reminding teams about the guidelines for the holiday break and there is no evidence that any of the other 12 visitors for games on Dec. 27 travelled early.

Ten of them took flights that morning, departing between 6 a.m. and 9:44 a.m. local time, according to FlightAware. The Devils travelled by bus for their game against the Rangers. San Jose’s flight tracking data isn’t publicly available.

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[SuchySays]

they traveled on the 26th for a game on the 27th... hmmm, okay.

 

[1865]

If they want to dock ten points then I'm all in favour.

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

not sure who this team you are talking about.
do the Flyeres play in the KHL?

 

[PALE PWNR]

Thats good. Not only are we going to finish like 3rd to last place but after we win the lottery our 1st round pick is going to be taken away or something

 

[tuckrr]

Thats good. Not only are we going to finish like 3rd to last place but after we win the lottery our 1st round pick is going to be taken away or something

We're now officially closer to dead last then a playoff spot...don't give up hope, we can be #1!

 

[Striiker]

As punishment they're going to take away our #1C.... Lecavalier. Berube will be devastated.

 

[orangecrush8]

Is there anything written that documents the penalties for a violation like this?

A fine, perhaps? Surely there can't be anything related to a draft pick

 

[BillDineen]

I accept the reasonable penalty of every point earned so far this season. Is it a good draft year?

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

Is there anything written that documents the penalties for a violation like this?

A fine, perhaps? Surely there can't be anything related to a draft pick

nothing more than a fine I would think.

 

[JDinkalage Morgoone]

I think I read the penalty is that they will rescind our first round pick and give it to Pittsburgh. Clause 87 subsection 66 of the CBA, I believe.

 

[Broad Street Elite]

nothing more than a fine I would think.

I'm sure this is correct. A fine is all this will be.

 

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

There's no excuse for this, especially when the league sent out a notice to all teams. It reeks of incompetence.

 

[orangecrush8]

There's no excuse for this, especially when the league sent out a notice to all teams. It reeks of incompetence.

I agree, but it's a stupid rule. Broad Street Hockey pointed it out, but their ideology behind the rule is to create an even playing field for all teams. But all it does is give a clear advantage to the home team. If they're going to schedule games on the 27th, they need to amend it to at least allow travel after a specific time, 4pm for example.

 

[Cyborg LeClair]

There's no excuse for this, especially when the league sent out a notice to all teams. It reeks of incompetence.

Or maybe as a group the players and staff all preferred to travel on the 26th to be more rested for the game or something and not have to travel the same day as they play. Perhaps they figured the benefit would outweigh whatever pittance of a penalty the league would slap them with.

 

[kyuss]

I agree, but it's a stupid rule. Broad Street Hockey pointed it out, but their ideology behind the rule is to create an even playing field for all teams. But all it does is give a clear advantage to the home team. If they're going to schedule games on the 27th, they need to amend it to at least allow travel after a specific time, 4pm for example.

I don't think the reasoning for the rule is competition oriented. I think the PA wanted to give the players more than 24 hrs with their families over the holidays.

 

[Insulin]

It's a silly rule, but you can't just ignore it like that.

 

[GKJ]

Comcast gets to give back some of that Disney on Ice gate.

 

[Chinatown88]

It's probably gonna be a fine like others have stated. But I would like a point penalty.

 

[ILoveStephanieBrown]

no big deal

 

[Philadelphia Ducks]

I hate this rule so much. You aren't allowed to travel on the 24-26, we played until 10pm on the 23rd. There is no way to get to Nashville in time to avoid this 'no travel clause'. The only way to do it would be to travel on game day which is just terribly stupid and as far as I know, no team does it except on this stupid day, so maybe they shouldn't have any games on the 27th because that is just an even bigger advantage for the home team. It will just be a fine, but it shouldn't be anything. I can understand no travel on the 24th and 25th, but the 26th just seems excessive.

 

[GKJ]

The Flyers are on the road every year on the 27th. Shouldn't be an issue. They likely violated the rule knowing exactly what they were doing.

 

[LegionOfDoom91]

They likely violated the rule knowing exactly what they were doing.

I'm thinking that as well. I doubt many if any players cared that they took a flight the night before opposed to a flight early in the morning the day of the game.

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

The Flyers are on the road every year on the 27th. Shouldn't be an issue. They likely violated the rule knowing exactly what they were doing.

and Snider doesn't care. He will send the NHL a blank check.

 

[RinaldoZac]

Im in favor of NHL taking away 10 points!!! But if its a punishment we may end up gaining a few...