Let's Pretend To Make A Deal
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The NHL GM winter meetings are over and it's safe to say the whole thing was a bigger tease than that Natalie Portman-Scarlett Johansson movie. There were no major trades to report, with Jaroslav Modry being the biggest name that changed addresses.
One thing's always cool about these meetings. Well, two, if you count the ever-present possibility of a Kevin Lowe-Brian Burke brawl. In all seriousness, it's always fun to see what funny proposed rule changes emerge from these meetings. Here's the rundown on what the general managers came up with:
So that's about it for another exciting year of winter meetings.
One thing's always cool about these meetings. Well, two, if you count the ever-present possibility of a Kevin Lowe-Brian Burke brawl. In all seriousness, it's always fun to see what funny proposed rule changes emerge from these meetings. Here's the rundown on what the general managers came up with:
- One minute penalties during regular season overtime periods: There are two schools of thought on this one. 1: Considering that regular season OT only lasts five minutes, a one minute penalty seems more fair than two minutes for an infraction. 2: If players are stupid enough to take a penalty during four on four OT, they deserve to stew in the box for the full two minutes. I'd agree with the second point. The NHL will ask the AHL to test the proposal next year, before making a decision for 09-10. Who needs market research when the AHL serves as your own personal test market?
- Offensive zone faceoffs after a penalty, no matter where the puck is when play is stopped: Most GMs supported this one. The AHL currently has the rule in place and it could be implemented as early as next season in the NHL. Seems fair.
- Pushing the start of free agency to July 7 instead of July 1. By golly, all those national holidays take the focus off of the NHL. We need people paying attention to hockey in July! Somehow, I don't really think that's a problem for Canadians. Most Canadians would rather watch whatever free agency special TSN cooks up than have to sit through Sam Roberts on the CBC, for the 10th straight year.
- The GMs were split on an 84-game schedule: If Sydney Crosby is your number one draw, it makes so much sense for him to only visit certain cities once every four years. Would anyone really care if Carolina played Atlanta seven times instead of eight?
- Them goalies be cheatin': The GMs are serious about tackling the issue of goalie equipment. They mean it this time. Even more than last time.
So that's about it for another exciting year of winter meetings.
Labels: it's just an excuse to get in a few rounds of golf, nhl winter meetings, you thought of a better rule change
posted by One-Timer @ 2:24 PM,
