Responding to a request by the Blackhawks to examine video-review procedures, the NHL’s Board of Governors on Tuesday did not endorse any changes but did support enhancing the existing equipment and systems, Commissioner Gary Bettman said.
The Blackhawks had asked for video review to be on the agenda after an apparent shootout goal by Denis Arkhipov against Minnesota on Jan. 14 was invalidated by NHL officials watching the game in Toronto. The goal would have tied the shootout at 1-1. The Blackhawks lost the game 4-3.
“One of the things we made clear is that we’re going to be looking, in the not-too-distant future, probably over the summer, to upgrade the equipment in the system and probably move into high-definition equipment to make sure that we’re getting even better looks at the puck,” Bettman said.
In other action, two proposals that would have ensured that each NHL team played the other at least once fell short of the required two-thirds approval. One missed by one vote and the other by two votes.
Bettman, who said he favored a change but can’t overrule the board, said the governors took a “prudent, safe course” that allows completion of a three-year scheduling cycle begun after the 2004-05 lockout.
“That’s not an irrational, irresponsible or necessarily unwise decision. And the research we do with our fans is more fans than not like what we have,” he said.
Tim Leiweke, president of AEG, the Kings’ parent company, said he believes fans want to see every team. This season the Kings and Ducks don’t play the Northeast Division, which includes the Bruins, Maple Leafs and Canadiens from the “Original Six.”
Eastern clubs, Leiweke said, “like it because it reduces travel and wear and tear. I don’t blame Gary on this one. He can’t force-feed us, but he can lead us.
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“Sometimes, with owners, it’s like herding cats.”
Also, the NHL has forged “tentative agreements” with the players’ association to modify aspects of its drug-testing program, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said. Daly said nothing has been finalized, but general accord has been reached to increase the number of tests to which players can be subjected from two no-notice tests per year.
The NHL did not conduct drug testing until last January. It tests for steroids and other performance-enhancing substances but not for stimulants. It said last June that there were no positive tests among 1,406 performed last season.
Daly said the types of substances tested for will not change this year.