NHL eliminates compensation policy for coaches, execs
At the board of governors meetings on Tuesday, the NHL put an end to its current compensation policy for teams that lose coaches or executives to other clubs, the league has confirmed.
The rule awarded draft picks to teams that lost a coach or executive who remained under contract, but signed with another club.
Brian Burke says there was no opposition to abolishing the executive compensation rule once the Govs heard the league's reasoning for it
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) December 8, 2015
What had sparked displeasure around the league was that the rule applied to those who had been fired from their clubs but remained under contract.
For example, the Pittsburgh Penguins received a third-round pick from Buffalo when the Sabres made Dan Bylsma their new head coach.
Despite being fired from the club, Bylsma remained under contract with the Penguins at the time of his hiring by Buffalo.
"Bill Daly, the deputy commissioner, gave a lengthy report of what there was, what the protocol that I put into effect roughly 10 years ago was to the reaction and change we made this year, and I decided to, as of Jan. 1, to go back to the old rule, which was there is no compensation," league commissioner Gary Bettman said.
"You either give permission to negotiate, and if the two parties actually make a deal the executive is free to go. But there is no compensation. If you don't want to give permission to somebody who is under contract, whether or not they're employed but they are still being paid and under contract, (that) is the club's decision."
Teams that have already been forced to give up picks under the current policy will not receive the picks back.