GMs will propose that teams switch sides in overtime and, potentially, an ice scrape before the extra period, according to multiple reports out of the meetings. Formal recommendations would need the approval of the league's competition committee and board of governors, which next meet in June.
The thought process behind those is simple enough; switching sides means that defensemen will have to make "the long change" from the bench, which seems to lead to more goals in the second period; and better ice will lead to faster players.
Still, given that 3-on-3 overtime was on the table, and the appeal of the 3-2-1-0 standings, Tuesday's news out of Boca Raton doesn't qualify as more than incremental change. When stuff happens in the NHL, it typically doesn't happen fast — and that seems to be the case for reducing the number of games that stagnate down the stretch, then go to the shootout.
Since 2005-06, when the shootout was implemented, approximately 57 percent of overtime games have gone to a shootout, according to the league, and that's a number the GMs would like to see decline. Playoff spots are in the balance; the Capitals is a point ahead of New Jersey in standings because they have eight shootout wins to the Devils' none.
As always, the NHLPA has a say, and Mathieu Schneider told reporters that the union doesn't want to make games any longer but fewer overtimes. That rules out an extra few minutes of 3-on-3, as has been proposed. It doesn't clearly affect standing modifications, though; there, the thought is that, with an extra point at stake, teams will be less apt to settle for hanging out in overtime.
There are pros and cons for the players there, too; it's tough to imagine them signing off on a system that would decrease certain teams' shot at making the postseason, but three-point wins would mean gaps are easier to close. And hey, they want less overtimes.
That's a moot point, though; fresh ice and switching ends are what's currently passing for change. That's better than nothing, not quite something and wholly unsurprising.
Other potential recommendations:
— Widening face-off circle hashmarks to five feet to create room on either side, eliminate scrums and promote scoring opportunities. Space leads to goals, as we see when interference is called the right way.
— Stiffer penalties for centers who cheat on face-offs; they'd have to move back an extra foot, which would mean less leverage. Whatever.
— This, according to Elliotte Friedman, needs more work, but allowing more "kicked-in"/"redirected" goals was discussed. That's a great idea; if a player can knock a puck in with his skate without putting anyone in danger, he deserves a goal.
PEVERELY RESTING COMFORTABLY
Rich Peverley is resting comfortably at a Dallas hospital and undergoing tests after Monday night's scare, Stars GM Jim Nill said in a statement on Tuesday.
Peverley, who has an irregular heartbeat, collapsed on the bench after a cardiac event and needed one defibrillation to restore his heart rhythm and regain consciousness. The Stars' game against Columbus was understandably canceled.
From Nill:
The focus of all the testing and monitoring is being dedicated to finding the cause of the event and a long-term solution to rectify the problem. We do not have any more specifics at the moment. Rich has been communicating with his teammates and friends. He is extremely grateful for all of the prayers and support that he’s received from fans and friends alike.
The next logical question: What is a cardiac event? It's not a heart attack, or, myocardial infarction, which is when one or more coronary arteries is blocked and can't provide oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
From the Cleveland Clinic :
(Sudden) cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical system to the heart malfunctions and suddenly becomes very irregular. The heart beats dangerously fast. The ventricles may flutter or quiver (ventricular fibrillation), and blood is not delivered to the body. In the first few minutes, the greatest concern is that blood flow to the brain will be reduced so drastically that a person will lose consciousness. Death follows unless emergency treatment is begun immediately.
Emergency treatment includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. CPR keeps enough oxygen in the lungs and gets it to the brain until the normal heart rhythm is restored with an electric shock to the chest (defibrillation). Portable defibrillators used by emergency personnel, or public access defibrillators (AEDs) may help save the person’s life.
The Stars' medical team used both a defibrillator and CPR in their response to Peverley's collapse. It was amazingly fast and, not coincidentally, successful, as Yahoo's Greg Wyshynski wrote.
PROSPECT ARRIVING SOON?
Teuvo Teravainen is the Chicago Blackhawks' presumptive second-line center of the future — and that might be coming a little sooner than expected.
Teravainen, one of the best players outside the NHL and just 19 years old, is likely to get a shot with the Blackhawks at some point after his season with Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League ends, coach Joel Quenneville told 670 The Score. That could be during Chicago's regular season or the playoffs.
"He's really progressed. Reports are excellent on his development," Quenneville said. "Our people believe that he can help us. So we look forward to getting that opportunity."
The No. 18 overall pick in 2012, Teravainen is a small (5-10, 185), offensively-gifted playmaker with 43 points in 47 games this season for Jokerit. After a solid training camp with Chicago, he led the World Junior championships in scoring and helped Finland win gold.
"He's a really talented player. Obviously, he had a really good training camp here with Chicago. We played against him a couple times," Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jussi Jokinen told Sporting News in January. (Jokinen owns a Finnish junior team and played against Teravainen during the lockout.)
"He just needs to get a little stronger, get a little more speed, and he'll be a good player here."
The Blackhawks, good as they are, could use Teravainen now; Michal Handzus is currently centering Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp, which isn't ideal. Prospect Brandon Pirri started the season as a potential fit, but he was traded to Florida before the deadline.
If/when Teravainen comes over, Chicago's glut of defensemen will make more sense; Sheldon Brookbank would be sent down to clear cap space.
Contributor: Sean Gentille
