smˈaɪð bᵻlˈiːvd hˈæmənd fˈaɪɚd hˌɪm bɪkˈʌz ʌv hɪz ɹᵻfjˈuːzəl tə sˈaɪn tˈuːtˈaɪm ˌɛnˌeɪtʃˈɛl skˈoːɹɪŋ tʃˈæmpiən bˈeɪb dˈaɪ, ɐɡˈɛnst hˈæməndz wˈɪʃᵻz.
Smythe believed Hammond fired him because of his refusal to sign two-time NHL scoring champion Babe Dye, against Hammond's wishes.