NHL Meeting to Discuss Changes to Video Review and Prominent Salary Cap Loophole

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Liam McCormick
November 9, 2024 (8:18 PM)

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The NHL is holding their scheduled General Manager's Meetings this week, where there will be discussions on rule changes to two major issues.

According to Elliotte Friedman on tonight's edition of Saturday's Headlines, NHL Managers are exploring rule changes to reduce video review waiting times and the playoff LTIR salary cap loophole.

In the Panthers-Flyers game today, a video review for a puck hitting the net before a goal lasted for over five minutes before referees reached a decision. Friedman mentioned the review length as a concern inside the NHL, as well as what plays should be reviewable.

»I understand one of the concerns here is the amount of time it takes. How long it takes, how much time teams are given before they can challenge I do think theyre going to discuss is there anything more they can do, anything more they need to do, anything they should cut back, and also, can they cut down on the time.»
- Elliotte Friedman

It would be fantastic if the NHL can find ways to improve their video review room to reach the correct decision faster, and then apply that technology to as many calls as possible. With the available replays we have now there's simply too many missed calls, so if the NHL is adding more technology, they should use it as much as possible to get every call correct, and do it quickly.

Friedman's other mentions of the salary cap loophole under discussion is great news for hockey fans. For the last few seasons, the Vegas Golden Knights specifically have used a supposed loophole with chronically injured players to ice teams above the salary cap in the playoffs when they return. This has always drawn some criticism from hockey fans, so it's great to hear it's actually under discussion to be fixed.

»One of the topics I still think is a big deal among some GM's is can they fix the playoff roster issue. When the cap goes away, and you can stack your roster, is there something that can be done or has to be done to guard against that?»
- Elliotte Friedman

This week's General Managers meeting is just a small session that sets up their week long meetings in early 2025, where they can actually enact rule changes for the next season. It's honestly great to hear the league is working away on these issues, and hopefully, they bring forward effective solutions.