Report: NHL investigating Stars for possible CBA violation after optional holiday practice

The Dallas Stars may have landed on the naughty list this holiday season.

On Saturday, The Athletic reported that the NHL is investigating a potential collective bargaining agreement violation by the Dallas Stars for having an optional practice during the league’s holiday break.

Ahead of Friday’s game against the Minnesota Wild, Stars head coach Pete DeBoer spilled the beans, saying he and young players were at the rink on Boxing Day.

“I was at the rink yesterday. We had an optional, and of course the young guys all show up for the optional, like, you know, they’re supposed to do,” DeBoer said.

According to the NHL’s CBA, in Article 16.5 (b), “December 24, Christmas Day, and December 26 shall be off-days for all purposes, including travel, and no Club may request a Player’s consent to practice on such days for any reason.”

An NHL official told The Athletic Saturday morning that the league is looking into the facts of the practice. A Dallas spokesperson also told The Athletic that “the team is conducting an internal investigation into the matter and is fully cooperating with the NHL.”

After the Wild topped the Stars 3-2 in overtime Friday, Minnesota head coach John Hynes said DeBoer could have misspoke.

“Obviously, the rules are in place for a reason. The league is so competitive and so tight in terms of the schedule, you’d like everyone on an even playing field. The rules are the rules, right?” Hynes said. “But, again, I don’t know exactly what he meant. I’ve got a lot of respect for Pete, so I would lend myself to think that maybe he made a mistake.”

If deemed guilty of breaking the CBA, the Stars would face a steep fine.