NHL Levies Big Penalty on Blues

The St. Louis Blues were fined an NHL-record $1.5 million on Monday as Commissioner Gary Bettman settled a 4-year-old tampering case involving defenseman Scott Stevens.

The Blues said they won’t contest the fine, levied by Bettman for violation of the NHL constitution and by-laws. He also ordered the Blues to surrender one first-round pick to the New Jersey Devils between now and 2003. The Devils had sought five first-round picks as compensation.

The Devils get $1.425 million of the fine amount, and the rest goes to the NHL, payable within 120 days of Dec. 28, the day the penalty was handed down.

In addition, the Devils have been awarded the one-time right to trade first-round positions with St. Louis in any other entry draft over the time period. The Devils must inform the NHL by May 1 preceding each entry draft when they plan to exercise the option, and the Blues have a one-time deferral right.

“I view the Blues’ conduct with respect to Mr. Stevens to be abhorrent and deserving of the harshest sanctions,” Bettman said in a release.

“Violations of the no-tampering provisions directly undermine the integrity of the league and the game.”