An interpretation of the rules appears to be the core issue in the NHL’s ongoing investigation of the Coyotes, two sources told The Athletic. The league’s ruling could mean the difference between a significant fine and complete exoneration.

The NHL is investigating whether the Coyotes violated league rules by fitness-testing draft-eligible players before the 2019 scouting combine. The investigation was first reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger last week. Per the NHL’s Combine Testing Policy, no physical testing is permitted for prospects on the invite list before the combine, but a source told The Athletic that the Coyotes do not believe they violated that rule. While the Coyotes did interview numerous draft-eligible prospects on that list, which is permitted, the source said they did not run any of those prospects through physical testing. Instead, they simply asked questions regarding such topics as eating habits, supplement use and workout regimens.

The Coyotes’ draft process relies on a collaborative approach. The revamped process was created to collect more data and avoid a recurrence of mistakes in the draft. That means multiple staff members participate in the interviewing of draft prospects. Mental performance consultant Brenley Shapiro handles the psychological portion of the interview, a regional scout will ask hockey questions and a recently hired strength and conditioning consultant, Tommy Powers, handles questions related to his expertise.

One source said that Powers’ inclusion raised some concerns with the league, as did the Coyotes’ request that draft prospects show up for the interviews in a T-shirt and shorts so that team staff could “eyeball” their bodies. But the source said the Coyotes did not take measurements or request any sort of physical tests. They simply looked the player over to assess such aspects as skating potential and potential physical development.

While the Coyotes have denied requesting any sort of physical testing of draft prospects on the combine list, even going so far as to decline one invitation from parents to watch their son work out, they have also provided feedback to junior teams when asked about their own processes.

The NHL’s policy was revamped to prevent teams from holding their own combines for draft prospects.

“Teams were sending letters to 40 kids to show up at the local high school and then they’d put them through two-mile runs, bench presses, squats, dead lifts,” one source said. “They were running these kids ragged and when you’re talking about a lot of teams doing it, it just wasn’t fair to the kids. That’s what the combine is for.”

Two sources said the initial complaint against the Coyotes was filed by someone connected to the league, but they did not name that person.

Dreger reported last week that the Ontario Hockey League, the Western Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, all of which fall under the Canadian Hockey League umbrella, sent emails to their respective teams at the NHL’s request, asking them to report any contact (a report that has been confirmed by The Athletic). Multiple teams reported contact.

A source said the investigation is not confined to the Canadian major junior leagues, however. It also encompasses the United States Hockey League. Per one source, the Coyotes tested numerous players on the combine invite list whom they expected to be high draft picks, which could amount to a significant number of incidents. Per the NHL’s Combine Testing Policy, any club that violates these policies will be fined no less than $250,000 for each violation.

An NHL executive told The Athletic that the Coyotes’ interpretation of the rules may be correct, but that there is an easy way to clear up any confusion.

“I might interpret the rules one way but my interpretation doesn’t matter,” the executive said. “You have to remember, the people at the league work for us. They’re there to help. All you have to do is ask for an interpretation before going forward with whatever you’re doing.”

Another source said that the Combine Testing Policy leaves too much gray area.

“If you look at the CBA (collective bargaining agreement), it lays out things in great specificity,” the source said. “This policy is legally binding, but it’s just a one-page memo. The fallout from this investigation could be more stringent clarifications on what’s allowable and what’s not.”

If the Coyotes are found guilty, that could create a conundrum for the league when it looks to punish Arizona. Alex Meruelo purchased a 95-percent ownership stake in the Coyotes this past summer. How willing would NHL commissioner Gary Bettman be to levy stiff financial penalties on a new owner who was not part of those infractions — an owner who has brought stability to a franchise that has faced relocation rumors, arena issues, ownership issues and a seven-year playoff drought?

There is nothing within the Combine Testing Policy to suggest other forms of punishment, only the aforementioned fines, but Bettman has wide discretion when meting out punishment for something he feels violates the spirit or integrity of the game. Could the Coyotes be forced to forfeit draft picks instead? Could Bettman insist on the termination of individuals involved in the process? Could he choose another form of punishment?

Bettman, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly and senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell all declined to comment on the ongoing investigation when reached by The Athletic on Thursday. OHL commissioner David Branch, who was the CHL’s president until this past summer, did not return calls requesting comment, but a CHL spokesperson wrote via email: “This is an NHL matter and the CHL will not be commenting at this time.”

The Coyotes issued a statement before the team faced the Los Angeles Kings at Gila River Arena on Thursday night.

“We are aware of the reports. We have discussed the matter with the NHL and we will have no further comment at this time.”

It is unclear whether the league has placed any timeline for the completion of the investigation.

(Photo of Ryan Reaves, right, battling the Coyotes’ Ilya Lyubushkin on Dec. 28, 2019, in Las Vegas: Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)