Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke offers players as test subjects –NHL offseason Update
The 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) offseason, research, development and orientation camp may have brought a few surprising changes, physically for the game of hockey, but no one is probably more excited that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, Brian
Burke, who is willing to let up his players for the noble cause.
Offering his players as lab rats, he certainly believes that he is willing to do anything and everything in his power, in order to make the game of ice hockey not only better but also much safer as well.
There is not any official invite or request to NHL teams thus far for allowing them to use players in the R&D camp, but rather Burke has made an open offer if there is ever any need of players to test out on.
“We’re willing to try it in our pre-season games, the rule changes, the nets and the cameras”, Burke said. “The other team has to consent, but if (the league) needs a guinea pig, we’ll be the guinea pig”.
If the main ideas are implemented by the start of the next regular season which is set to begin in October, fans and spectators could see a number of changes aimed at increasing the thrill and excitement of one of the world’s most watched sports.
Curved glass on the side boards where the players benches are located, allows for safe deflection of players who are checked into the area. Shallower nets which allow for sharper and more accurate passing and a goal verification line are some of the ideas
which seem to be ready for implementation.
Before Burke can offer any player for the development camp, he would need to seek permission from the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA), who would give the final green signal, and according to latest reports, they are pretty open to the
decision.
“The NHLPA is going to review with the league the initiatives that were tested at the R&D camp, and at that time will discuss whether it makes sense to consider further experimenting with any of these changes in exhibition games next month”, said union spokesperson
Jonathan Weatherdon.
Further updates can be expected in the upcoming weeks on the topic.
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