Kyle Dubas, former General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is yet again in the headlines. As reported by Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, it appears the NHLPA may be investigating a possible conflict of interest involving Dubas.
The Facts
In the circumstances leading up to Dubas's departure from the Maple Leafs, Chris Armstrong from Wasserman Sports, the agency representing hockey superstar Auston Matthews, stood as his representative. While Armstrong is best known for representing golfers, his involvement with hockey negotiations here makes things interesting.
The thing is that he isn't a certified NHL agent. The NHLPA has a decision to make, as Seravalli remarks.
"The question for the NHLPA to determine: Are agents working for the same agency, but in a different division or arm of the firm, also prohibited from representing hockey executives on the other side of the table?"
An Investigation is Launched
An undisclosed agent, in a conversation with Seravalli, firmly believes that this situation merits an exhaustive examination. This anonymous source expressed his perspective, stating:
"This is clearly prohibited under the regulations. It is an unwritten, understood and longstanding practice that your guy down the hall doesn't work for the other side. I'd like the NHLPA to launch an investigation and draw their own conclusion."
Moreover, Seravalli pointed out that several agents have been informed by the NHLPA since 2022 that such regulations would be rigorously upheld. It's worth mentioning that Dubas, once an NHL-certified agent himself, would be no stranger to these rules. As the dust settles, one thing remains unclear - what consequences could Dubas potentially face if the NHLPA uncovers any issues?