Coach's challenge proposal fails at GM meetings
The idea of instituting a coach's challenge – similar to that employed in the NFL – was put on the table by Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon at the NHL's general mangers meeting, but the proposal was scrapped
rather quickly after it failed to gain support from other general managers.
Tallon originally stated he would propose the rule change after his team were defeated by the Toronto Maple Leafs on a contentious goal in which Maple Leafs forward Colton Orr clearly interfered with Panthers
goalie Scott Clemmensen.
"We had a lot of conversation, but it's a dead issue," Tallon told reporters on Tuesday during a break in the meetings. "The decision is best for the league as far as the league is concerned, so we move
on."
Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, who was on the other end of the controversial incident which precipitated the proposal, openly ridiculed Tallon in the media for the idea saying the proposed rule
change was like "killing a house fly with a bazooka".
Tallon admitted that there was some support at the meetings for his idea but not much, and suggested that the process of challenging calls was a very involved process subject to a potential slippery slope
with the main concern that constantly challenging officials' decisions would slow the game down.
"There was so much involved. When do you do it, how long does it take?" he said. "It could have expanded into something more than it should be."
Also on the table at the general managers meeting was how the league has responded to the changes to the rules regarding illegal hits to the head.
Atlanta Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley praised the league's efforts and said they were making the game safer.
"We feel that the league is doing the right thing to protect players in that situation. There's no question that the players are paying attention to it (the blindside situtation). They're not taking advantage
of the players clearly putting themselves in a vulnerable situation."
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