Breaking: NHL hits Canucks with harsh penalty due to general manager tampering.

The National Hockey League has come down hard on Canucks general manager Jim Benning, and while his comments certainly cross the line, this decision will likely lead other general manager's as well as Benning to be less open with the public.

According to reporter Jeff Marek the Canucks have been hit with a whopping $50,000 fine as a result of comments Benning made regarding both Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban during a radio interview prior to the draft last week. It was in that interview that Benning revealed his interest in Stamkos as a free agent prior to grace period after the draft. During the same interview he admitted that he had negotiations with Montreal regarding the acquisition of Subban. 

The league felt these comments were blatant enough that they amounted to tampering, and it's hard to disagree, but from a fan's perspective the comments from Benning were very interesting to hear.

[pub]