Ron Wilson, former San Jose Sharks head coach, walked into HP Pavilion on Tuesday with a purpose— to beat the team that abruptly fired him in 2008.

With that goal is mind Wilson put “money on the boards” for the player who scored the winning goal of the night. ESPN reported the cash incentive to be about $600 for what would be Wilson’s 600th NHL game win. The Maples Leafs defeated the Sharks, 4-2.

The current Toronto Maple Leafs head coach won 206 games in his five seasons with the Sharks (21-18-5) but was never able to make it past the conference championships, even dropping three consecutive season in the second round.

Apparently redemption was worth more than adhering to salary cap guidelines and the NHL collective bargaining agreement.

Quoting from Article 26, Section G of the NHL collective bargaining agreement:

"Neither a Club nor a Club Actor may pay or provide a Player anything of value, except as provided in his SPC (standard players contract) ... Upon a finding of this circumvention ... the player shall forfeit to the League such prohibited payment or other thing of value."

Although is it a known tradition around hockey club houses for players to bait new teammates with money for scoring the winning goal against former teams, it is a practice coaches should steer clear of.

Not only do his actions completely lack professionalism but also show disrespect for the Sharks team and fans who so faithfully supported him as a coach. Did he forget under which organization he won the most games helping him reach the 600 mark?

Wilson had no comment for reporters before Thursday night’s game against the Coyotes but general manager Brian Burke said earlier, "if it is a violation, we will remedy it with the league." 

The NHL is expected to fine the Maple Leafs (18-21-4) an unknown amount for this minor infraction against league rules.

$600,000 seems appropriate.

Fast forward to 2:10 in the video below to see the money exchange hands back to Wilson.