NHL fines Canucks $50,000 for GM comments ahead of draft

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - The NHL has fined the Vancouver Canucks $50,000 for tampering after general manager Jim Benning mentioned specific players the team might be interested in.

Benning noted the Canucks' interest in Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban and Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos last week during a radio interview before the NHL draft in Buffalo, New York.

NHL rules bar teams from discussing their interest in players who are under contract. The one exception is during a window of opportunity that opened on Saturday, when all teams are allowed to contact pending free agents, but not allowed to sign them until July 1.

Benning spoke two days before that window opened.

"Last week I was trying to be candid with our fans and media about our efforts to improve our team but said too much about players on other teams," Benning said Tuesday. "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 that Benning "crossed the line" in divulging trade conversations involving Subban, who is signed through the 2021-22 season.

"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.