Canucks fined $50,000 for Benning’ comments on Subban, Stamkos

The Vancouver Canucks will pay for general manager Jim Benning’s candid comments.

The club was fined US$50,000 by the NHL on Tuesday afternoon for tampering, a violation of by-law 15.

Benning mentioned the Canucks’ interest in Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban and Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos while being interviewed Thursday by Vancouver radio station ahead of the NHL draft in Buffalo.

Teams are not permitted to speak under such terms about players under contract to other NHL teams.

“Last week I was trying to be candid with our fans and media about out efforts to improve our team but said too much about players on other teams,” Benning said in a statement released by the Canucks. “I have spoken personally to the NHL and the general managers involved to apologize and I accept the league’s ruling.”

Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin told reporters afterward that Benning “crossed the line” in divulging trade conversations involving Subban. Bergevin was forced to speak out on the subject last Thursday, insisting that he was not shopping Subban but only listening to inquiries from opposing teams.

“I spoke with Jim and accept his representation that he intended no harm with his comments and that he will handle similar questions from the media differently in the future,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement.