The NHL will not change to a three-point system for wins during the 2007-08 season, with the league's general managers universally giving the idea the thumbs down at their annual meetings in Naples, Fla.
"We've got some exciting races in both conferences," Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said Wednesday. "The parity is great. Why change anything? I think we've had too much change of late. It's a good game. Let's enjoy it."
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said a few weeks ago that the league's competition committee had been looking at the concept of awarding three points for a regulation-time win.
(Steve Mitchell/Associated Press)
Speaking as three days of GM meetings wrapped up Wednesday, Anaheim general manager Brian Burke said the move didn't have any support "because it's a terrible idea."
Under the current point system, teams are awarded two points for a victory (in regulation, overtime or in a shootout). Teams still earn a point if they lose in overtime and via a shootout.
League commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged a few weeks ago that the league's competition committee, with players and GMs as members, had been looking at the concept of awarding three points for a regulation-time win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, and one point for an overtime or shootout loss.
Some simply wanted to see two points awarded for a win and zero for a loss, whether it happened in regulation, overtime or shootout.
The decision to maintain the status quo was influenced by those who felt the NHL had instituted enough changes (foremost among them being the shootout and the elimination of the centre red line for two-line passes) after the lockout.
"It's time to establish continuity. You can't keep making changes," said Colin Campbell, the NHL's director of hockey operations. "Let' s not confuse the fans."
Trade talk dominated discussions on Wednesday. The league's trade deadline is next Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET.
"I have a better sense of the market now as I head home," said the Detroit Red Wings' Ken Holland. "The prices remain too high. Whether or not we'll be willing to pay that price next Tuesday at the deadline remains to be seen."
With files from the Canadian Press
