All 30 of the NHL's general managers are set to begin their annual meetings on Monday in Boca Raton, Fla. Among the topics of discussion: goalie rules (namely video review of goaltender interference, and changes to emergency goalie protocols), and changes to overtime — which could reduce the amount of shootouts.
Surely, Flyers fans throughout the Delaware Valley and beyond can rejoice at any reduction in shootouts. It's nearly become predictable that any shootout involving the Flyers won't end in their favor — as reflected in the Orange and Black's 9-23 record in shootouts over the past three years, and 30-59 record since the glorified skills competition was introduced back in 2005.
Several GMs, coaches and other league personnel have gone on record in recent seasons to condemn the shootout, and who can blame them? It's essentially a coin flip as to who would win the game — imagine if the NFL did the coin toss to settle a game, rather than use it to start one.
Now, the NHL isn't looking to get too drastic and eliminate the shootout altogether, as excellent as that would be. There's discussion of a possible implementation of 3-on-3 overtime — which has been utilized in the American League this season, and from a personal standpoint, has been nothing short of exciting to watch so far.
For the uninitiated, the AHL utilizes 4-on-4 to start the overtime period, before switching to 3-on-3 following the first stoppage after three minutes has passed. A total of six skaters, on a wide-open patch of ice.
As per Stephen Whyno of The Canadian Press (via the Toronto Star), just 5.6 of AHL games this season have gone to a shootout. Pretty meager, when compared to the 14.08 percent of NHL games (yes, taking Sunday's game into consideration) that have gone to the shootout.
The NHL's most important and influential figure, commissioner Gary Bettman, has said before that some members of the league community would like to reduce shootouts, but he hasn't heard that from fans. As he told ESPN's Craig Custance earlier this month (via ProHockeyTalk):
“I think there are some members of the NHL family who would like to see fewer shootouts…We’re not hearing that from fans. Fans like the way the game is. That’s something we’re going to discuss. I’m not sure anybody is ready to make a change.”
But when was the last time you've heard a fan express a liking when a game goes to a shootout? What was the last social media post you've seen about a shootout that wasn't entirely negative?
Every once in a while, a shootout will happen that practically ruins a high-stakes game. Far too many games that have featured intense, high-stakes action — several times between division rivals — have ended in the shootout, an ending far too unceremonious.
Of the numerous shootouts that have taken place since 2005-06, not too many have counted. Sure, they mean points in the standings, but very few have taken place in dire circumstances. The Flyers' memorable win over the Rangers on April 11, 2010 — when the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot was on the line — may be the only time a shootout has counted for something. Looking back, it's somewhat ironic that the Flyers won that one.
Sure, shootouts aren't going away overnight. But they've become far too commonplace in today's NHL, and 3-on-3 overtime is an excellent idea in curbing them drastically.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
