NHL GMS ponder extending OT to reduce number of shootouts
TORONTO — Changing the structure of overtime in NHL regular-season games might not be imminent, but continued discussions among the league’s general managers show there is interest in extending the extra period to cut down on the number of shootouts.
Overtime was one of many of topics discussed at Tuesday’s annual general managers meeting after Hockey Hall of Fame induction night, along with fighting, hybrid icing and the playoff format that was introduced for this season.
No formal rule changes came about, though the purpose of this get-together is more to set up the next meeting in March.
Forty of the first 262 games this season have gone to a shootout. GMs have been discussing making overtime 10 minutes to cut down on shootouts “to some degree,” according to Ken Holland of the Detroit Red Wings.
Holland proposed five minutes of four-on-four and then three minutes of threeon-three, while Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues and others want simply 10 minutes of four-on-four.
“I think there was an appetite in the room from all the managers and also from (commissioner Gary Bettman) to look at a way to extend over- time,” Holland said.
“And we’re talking about possibly switching (ends) and doing some things to try to maybe have better ice, whether it’s more shovelling or something.”
Holland said it’s possible overtime gets extended to seven or eight minutes instead of 10, which he considers an improvement he could live with.
Fighting was discussed both in general terms and in regard to goaltenders, after incidents this season involving Montreal tough guy George Parros suffering a concussion after his head hit the ice and Philadelphia goaltender Ray Emery skating over the red-line to pummel Washington netminder Braden Holtby.
Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said there wasn’t much of a push to change the punishment for skaters fighting, but he and his colleagues discussed adding more of a punishment for goalies who cross centre to fight like Emery did.
The GMs also got clarification on the playoff format, which could include wild-card teams crossing over because of total points even if four make it from each division in one conference.
Under the new alignment and format, the top three teams from each division and two wild cards from each conference qualify.