The NHL is opening an investigation into the Dallas Stars

After the NHL returned to competition after the Christmas break, an investigation was initiated against the Dallas Stars. By Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet Saturday Headlines, the Stars allegedly held an inappropriate practice in the presence of their coach.

Friedman says so Stars they are cooperating with the league in the investigation because this is an issue that the NHL has cracked down on quite strongly. Teams are not allowed to hold official practices or even travel to the site of their next game until approved by the league.

As a precedent, a few years ago the Toronto Maple Leafs were fined $100,000 for traveling to the next city before official clearance. It was the same with the Philadelphia Flyers about ten years ago.

“There are rules about what you can’t do,” Friedman said. “You’re not allowed to practice, you’re not allowed to provide players with ice. The stars had some fun on Boxing Day and that caught the league’s attention.

Stars hosted the Minnesota Wild after returning to play after the NHL’s summer break, so no travel was necessary. However, they face such a high penalty if the league determines that their practice actually violated the guidelines.

“Some teams have to travel,” Friedman said. “They can’t practice in advance. This is considered a competitive disadvantage.”

According to Friedman, that seems to be the case Stars participated in an inappropriate practice in the presence of a coach before the league gave permission to do so.

The Stars faced the Wild on December 27 and ultimately lost in overtime by a score of 3-2. The Wild rallied from a 2-0 lead in the third quarter. Junior defenseman Brock Faber scored the overtime winning goal just 35 seconds after the extra goal.

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