NHL GMs happy with game’s direction
Goals have increased since crackdown on slashing
MONTREAL— As the NHL’s general managers gathered at Montreal’s Le Windsor complex, the site of the old Windsor Hotel, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the league, the post-meeting talk was more about recent rule changes and an unexpected uptick in goal scoring.
“I think it’s without question the game is going in the right direction,” Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello said. “How much more has to be done is an unknown because right now I think we’ve got a great game.”
There was little trade chatter among the GMs, who were gathering primarily to begin the process of reviewing the latest changes to the game. That includes the crackdowns on slashing and interference, as well as the tweak to the offside challenge that costs a team a delay-of-game penalty if it fails to win its challenge.
“The review is extremely positive,” Lamoriello said.
“What (the changes have) done is improve the game. We’ve (cracked down) on slashing to allow the skilled players to feel comfortable in doing what they do best. We’ve taken certain parts of the game out to prevent injuries to keep our players playing.
“As far as coaches’ challenges and offside and goalie interference, it’s just to get it as close to being perfect as you possibly can but always with the understanding you’re not going to be able to. We want to, in my opinion, make sure we don’t take the game out of the hands . . . of the people who are on the ice. We have to be very careful out there. It’s such a fine line.”
Goal scoring is up — from 5.5 a game last year to about 6.4 this year — but the league doesn’t believe it’s necessarily related to the penalty crackdown.
“I think it’s a reflection of younger players in the league,” NHL executive vice president Colin Campbell said, praising their speed and talent. “We’re down to an average of 23 and 24 being our biggest segment of player . . . Older players are more defensive and have more patience. I think younger players make more mistakes.
“But is there anything wrong with that? We always say if you want more goals, you need bad goalies and more mistakes.” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was the man about town Friday, feted by Montreal’s chamber of commerce after unveiling a plaque the le Windsor complex, the site where the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators and the Toronto hockey club to be known as the Arenas, then the St. Patricks and finally the Maple Leafs agreed to start a new league.
“The state of the league is very strong,” Bettman told the chamber crowd at an afternoon luncheon. “I don’t believe the game has been stronger in terms of the competitiveness of game, the excitement and entertainment our games provide.
“The passion of our fans is unrivalled. Our ownership has never been stronger, our franchises have never been healthier.”
Bettman, who will celebrate 25 years as the league commissioner early next year, said the NHL will generate between $4.5 billion and $5 billion (U.S.) this year.