Gary Bettman reportedly tells GMs to not make trades for a shocking reason

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James Connelly
June 15, 2024 (6:49 PM)

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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has reportedly told NHL teams to avoid making moves while the Stanley Cup is ongoing.

Currently, the Florida Panthers are up 3-0 in their series against the Edmonton Oilers with a chance to win it all as early as tonight. With this and the offseason fast approaching, it was recently revealed that Bettman has nudged teams to avoid making trades till after the cup finals.

If the season ends tonight there is a chance we see a flood of moves by Monday. The league has gently nudged teams to let the Stanley Cup finish before they make any moves. While not enforceable the league has offered a suggestion to let the Cup be handed out without distraction.

This does make a lot of sense because if a big market team were to make a massive trade with another big market team, then that news may overshadow the Stanley Cup finals.

Since the Stanley Cup playoffs began, only two trades have been made. First Ryan McDonagh was traded back to the Tampa Bay Lightning from Nashville in exchange for a few picks. The second trade involved the Blackhawks and Islanders with the trade involving only picks.

With many star players on the trade block, we could certainly see a massive trade happen just days after the Stanley Cup is awarded.

More details to come.

Source: Blade of Steel
NHL reportedly telling teams not to make trades or roster moves