The NHL Players’ Association is reviewing the relationship between former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas and his agent at the high-profile Wasserman agency for potential violation of the Certified Agent regulations that govern agent activity, an NHLPA spokesperson confirmed to Daily Faceoff.
Dubas was represented in his recent negotiations with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment by Chris Armstrong, of Wasserman, the same agency that also represents Toronto superstar Auston Matthews.
NHLPA Certified Agent regulations prohibit agents from representing and providing services to any officer or employee of an NHL club. Armstrong is not currently an NHL-certified agent and therefore not subject to discipline by the NHLPA; Armstrong is predominantly a golf agent and represents professional golfers Tony Finau and Cameron Champ, among others, for Wasserman.
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?
Multiple NHL-certified agents at rival agencies say the issue is cut and dried.
“This is clearly prohibited under the regulations,” one long-time agent said on Thursday, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on behalf of his firm. “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.”
By the letter of the law in the NHLPA Certified Agent regulations, the rule seems to apply only to certified agents, not the entirety of their agency. The text is as follows:
“Agents are prohibited from … representing, providing services to, either directly or indirectly, or engaging in or proposing to engage in business ventures with … any officer, employee or independent contractor of an NHL Club, other Professional Hockey Club or Canadian Major Junior Hockey Club or any other entity affiliated with any of the foregoing, including but not limited to coaches, general managers, scouts and locker room personnel.“
According to several agents, the NHLPA informed the agent community back in 2022 this prohibition would be strictly enforced going forward. Agents are asked to affirm their adherence to those regulations annually to renew their certification.
Armstrong joined Wasserman in 2010 from IMG Canada. According to Sports Business Journal, Armstrong was instrumental in opening Wasserman’s Toronto office and assisted “in the representation of athletes across sports who are Canadian-born or play in Canadian cities, including many NHL players.”
Wasserman hockey executive vice president Jeff Jackson told Daily Faceoff he was unaware of a pending review.
“I don’t have any direct knowledge of [a review from the NHLPA], but I’m sure that any or all of the certified agents in our hockey department would be happy to answer any questions the PA may have on this matter,” Jackson said.
Wasserman represents approximately 10 percent of the NHL’s total player pool, including some of the biggest names in the NHL such as Matthews, Connor McDavid, Roman Josi and Zach Werenski. Matthews is represented by Judd Moldaver of Wasserman’s hockey division.
Dubas did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Dubas himself is a former certified player agent and would have had a complete understanding and knowledge of the regulations governing agents prior to entering into a relationship with Armstrong.
The Maple Leafs declined to renew Dubas’ contract last Friday after five seasons as general manager and he has since reportedly interviewed with the Pittsburgh Penguins for their vacancy.
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