The NHL reportedly has warned feuding general managers Kevin Lowe and Brian Burke that they need to end their public dispute or face significant fines.

According to The Canadian Press, the warning for Edmonton's Lowe and Anaheim's Burke came Monday during a conference call with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, deputy commissioner Bill Daly and executive vice president Colin Campbell.

"We felt for a host of reasons it was important to bring the parties together and make it clear to both organizations that public comments disparaging the other were bad for the business and would no longer be tolerated," Daly told The Canadian Press.

When reached by e-mail Monday, Burke declined comment while an Oilers spokesman said the team considered the matter closed and would not have any comment.

Burke's criticism of Lowe began last July after the Oilers made a $21.25 million, five-year offer sheet to restricted free agent Dustin Penner and the Ducks did not match it. Burke has repeatedly blamed Lowe and the Penner offer sheet for spiraling salaries for young restricted free agents.

"You go right now from entry-level to what used to be the third contract, thanks to two offer sheets from Kevin Lowe," Burke told the Los Angeles Times again last week.

Lowe finally shot back at Burke last Friday during an interview with an Edmonton radio station that included some stinging comments about the Anahiem GM.

"He's a moron, first of all," Lowe said. "Secondly, he really believes that any news for the NHL is good news. Thirdly, he loves the limelight and I don't think anyone in hockey will dispute that. Lastly, he's in a pathetic hockey market where they can't get on any page of the newspaper let alone the front page of the sports, so any of this stuff carries on."

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