Shootouts coming to NHL: Milbury
WebPosted Tue, 07 Jun 2005 18:19:50 EDT
CBC Sports
According to Mike Milbury, the shootout is coming to the NHL.
Mike Milbury is GM of the New York Islanders. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)Milbury, general manager of the New York Islanders, predicted Tuesday that games still tied following an overtime period will likely be decided by penalty shots when the NHL resumes play.
"If they don't have a shootout, I'll be shocked," he said. "That's an easy one.
"The fans want it. And it's the least we can do after spitting at them for the last 12 months."
Milbury offered his prediction on the one-year anniversary of the last game played in the NHL.
The league and NHL Players' Association have failed to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement since the players were locked out last Sept. 15 by commissioner Gary Bettman, who cancelled the 2004-05 season on Feb. 16.
But NHL executives are testing out several proposed changes, namely the tag-up offside, smaller goaltending equipment and the shootout, at a three-day research camp in Toronto.
"It sounds like most people want a definite outcome, a win or loss, one way or the other," said Vancouver Canucks director of player personnel Steve Tambellini.
"We have, traditionally, been very conservative as a group," Milbury said. "There isn't any doubt about that.
"We've tried to be respectful of the game's history and heritage. But the coaches haven't.
"They've coached the hell out of it. They've coached defensive hockey and worked the trap and angles and crowding in front of the net and goalies have cheated ... over the last number of years.
"We've got to respond. Other sports respond."