from Dan Rosen of the NHL website,
The NHL general managers concluded Tuesday that it's best to continue to study and gather information before acting on any of the main topics they discussed in breakout groups Monday, the first day of their annual meetings. In particular, those include adding video review for high-sticking minors and delay of game penalties, but they will also hold off on changing the policing of fighting after clean hits.
"The expression we often use is the possible unintended consequences," Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said. "We're going to keep thinking about it and try to anticipate everything."
The 32 GMs separated into four groups of eight Monday. They convened in a large group setting Tuesday to go over their discussions and findings.
The feeling on video review is that it's a work in progress because, though the technology exists to aide in the accuracy of a call, there is no consensus on the implementation of the review process for penalties such as high-sticking minors and pucks over the glass.
For example, the NHL already allows the officials, at their discretion, to review their own calls on high-sticking double minors and is happy with how that process is working. NHL director of officiating Stephen Walkom said there have been about 100 such penalties this season, of which 35-40 percent have been reviewed by the officials.
But there are nearly eight times more high-sticking minor penalties than double minors through the course of a season, so the worry is that expanding video review to allow the minor penalties to be looked at will kill momentum and lengthen games.
"We could have 750 high sticks this year, and we certainly don't want to be checking every one," Walkom said. "That's a lot bigger issue."
via The Daily Faceoff,
Frank Seravalli,
Its all anyone really cares about. Its not the rule changes or any of the juicy debates about whos the next GM of what, every fanbase and every front office wants to know whats next with the salary cap. Is it only going to be increasing $1 million to $83.5 next season, or is there room for more?
I dont expect that well get an answer from the commissioner on Wednesday as he addresses the media at the conclusion of these GM meetings. I think that hell say Look, were in a spot where the calculations and projections are not final, or on track to move the debt down from players to owners to a very negligible amount. And by the letter of the law in the CBA, the way that this was negotiated, is that does mean a scant $1 million increase.
However, what I will say, and I dont expect him to broadcast, is the idea that hes going to be getting heat from owners, and especially people on the NHLs executive committee, to get this cap moving. We dont need a fourth straight season of a frozen salary cap, especially when the debt will be paid off in the first weeks of next season more than likely. So, hes going to be getting pressure from the owners side, but at the same time, hes now getting into negotiations with an unknown character in the sense that we dont know that much about NHLPA incoming executive director Marty Walsh and how he plans to operate.
So moving forward, itll be interesting to see those two get together at the table for the first time, because this is a pretty big sticking point moving forward, and as much as teams would like some clarity now, I have a feeling we wont end up getting it until the next GM meeting convenes in Nashville during the week of the NHL Draft, and thats when well find out more, but until then, I dont expect much by way of an update.
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