ESPN Reports: Chicago Blackhawks have just announced the return of their 24-year-old forward to their starting roster to replace……

Regarding an offseason signing, Gary Bettman has revealed the NHL’s ultimate ruling on one team’s active tampering inquiry at the Board of Governors meeting.

Investigating an alleged tampering event involving Chicago Blackhawks signing winger Tyler Bertuzzi on a four-year contract valued at $22 million over the offseason, the NHL found evidence of tampering.

As Tyler Bertuzzi mentioned—that he spoke with colleague Nick Foligno about Chicago’s interest—before free agency started—questions did surface. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noted, however, that there are no present tampering investigations in the league, so penalty should not be given in reference to Bertuzzi and Nick Foligno’s conversation.

Friedman said that the NHL is paying more attention to informal talks that take place during free agency; the league is trying to define what is a casual conversation and what is truly inappropriate negotiating.

In this instance, contract negotiations did not consider these conversations between Bertuzzi and Foligno or provide the Blackhawks an unfair negotiating edge.

Clear evidence of a team acting unlawfully for leverage is the harsh language for tampering in the NHL; this just did not satisfy that criteria. As more and more leaked conversations generate alarm, the NHL has become more aggressive in trying to curb allegations of tampering.

Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer said this past week that the New York Rangers had manipulated the way their interest in Sens standout Brady Tkachuk was reported. After losing a first-round draft pick in 2022 due to poor deal of Evgenii Dadonov resulting from inadequate no-trade information, the Sens should know better.

The NHL tries to be an open book in hopes of avoiding any free agency mistakes and consequent fines while the league and its clubs are on increased alert. That’s all part of a larger play toward fair competition in a time when leaks and unofficial conversations are more frequent than ever.