Players suspended following the 2018 Team Canada Junior scandal: Pierre LeBrun reveals the truth about what is delaying the announcement of the identities of the targeted players

In a recent appearance on TSN's 'Insider Trading' segment, journalist and informant Pierre LeBrun of 'The Athletic' provided additional information on this case.

According to him, the process is lengthy because the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) and the NHL are trying to agree on the type of sanctions to be imposed on the guilty players.

This negotiation between the two parties, which may seem surprising at first glance, aims to avoid an appeal from the players following the announcement of the sanction. That would be the truth and the real reason for the delays in this case.

However, LeBrun does not think they will be able to agree, especially if the case does not become criminal following the police investigation.

But that would be what is delaying the disclosure of the names. The NHL wants to avoid a possible appeal.

As Marco Normandin of the site 'Habsolumentfan' reminds us, the case of Shane Pinto, who received a 41-game suspension for violating the NHL's policy against sports betting, is a good example of negotiations between the NHLPA and the NHL. The league wanted to impose a much more severe punishment, but the association worked hard to ensure their client was not too severely penalized. The compromise was a half-season suspension, in exchange for an assurance that there would be no appeal process after the announcement of the sanction.