Ken Holland, this is your time to shine.
NHL general managers meetings: Extended video review, longer overtime to be discussed
The NHL’s general managers will meet in Florida to discuss a varying degree of topics, but longer overtime and extended video review are expected to be the primary points of discussion.
Hannah Foslien
The NHL's general managers will meet in Boca Raton, Florida, over the next two days to discuss a varying degree of issues, but TSN's insider Bob McKenzie tweeted that extended video review and longer overtime are expected to be the keynote topics. Holland, the manager of the Detroit Red Wings, has been a long-time supporter of revamping overtime by implementing an additional portion of 3-on-3 hockey if a winner isn't decided after the standard 4-on-4 frame. The initiative has gained support over the years and received positive reviews after being used in the Red Wings' annual prospect tournament in Traverse City this past pre-season.
McKenzie tweets that Holland is in support of a four-minute 4-on-4 overtime period, which would be followed by a four-minute 3-on-3 overtime period if necessary. Damian Echevarrieta, a member of the NHL’s Player Safety department, is expected to push for all overtime periods to implement the “long change,” where each team’s defensive zone is furthest away from their bench. The long change takes place during the second period of all NHL games, which also happens to be the period with the most goals scored this season. The whole point of all this is to increase the potential of a goal being scored during overtime so that the shootout will decide the outcome of fewer games.
USHL had 23% of its games go to OT (roughly same as NHL). USHL went to long-change OT, settled 10 per cent more games with that one change.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 10, 2014 In addition to the shootout, extended video review will be a primary point of discussion.
McKenzie tweets that managers are interested in expanding review, but don’t have a common philosophy in how to do it. The concept of a coach’s challenge, similar to the system in place with the NFL, has often been brought up in discussion, but limitations on the method (punishment in case the review upholds the original call or how many challenges a team will get per game) has not come to a consensus.
The managers will meet in small breakout groups on Monday, before meeting as a whole on Tuesday.
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