The Flyers have found themselves in trouble with the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement, as a result of travelling on their season-long, eight-game road trip.
According to their FlightAware flight data, the team departed for Nashville on Delta Airlines Flight 8949 at 8:24 p.m. on Dec. 26, in advance of their game against the Predators the next night. This is in direct violation of the CBA, which imposed a three-day break from any organized team activities (practices, games, travel, etc.) from Dec. 24 through Dec. 26.
Article 16.5 (b) of the CBA states that "December 24, Christmas Day, and shall be off days for all purposes, including travel."
Of 12 games played on Dec. 27, FlightAware also logged ten flights in the early-morning hours of the day. The New Jersey Devils reportedly utilized a bus for their game against the New York Rangers, while San Jose's flight data is not disclosed.
The Flyers, of course, are no stranger to CBA violations. They were investigated under the former CBA for Chris Pronger's seven-year contract extension, and violated the CBA last year for practicing on a scheduled off-day for the Flyers Wives Carnival — yet did not face sanctions in either instance.
Most recently, the CBA was violated by the Los Angeles Kings, for allowing the indefinitely-suspended Slava Voynov to take part in an optional team skate. The team was fined $100,000.
[h/t Sportsnet]UPDATE: The NHL announced Sunday that the Flyers would be fined an undisclosed amount, for their CBA violation.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61.
