NHL stars urging Gary Bettman to scrap the league's most hated rule

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Samer Dagher
August 26, 2024 (1:30 PM)

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Photo credit: Los Angeles Times

Several NHL stars are urging commissionner Gary Bettman to get rid of the league's most controversial rule.

The shootout is one of the most disliked rules in the NHL. While fans generally love the excitement of 3-on-3 overtime, deciding games with one-on-one shootouts isn't as popular.

According to Elliotte Friedman, several players, including goaltenders Samuel Ersson and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, are calling for the NHL to get rid of the shootout. The shootout currently follows a five-minute 3-on-3 overtime period to determine the winner in regular-season games.

Many believe the shootout is unfair because it leaves goaltenders highly vulnerable with no defense to back them up. Another issue is that goals scored in shootouts don't count as game-winning goals, which can be frustrating in a league where personal statistics matter, something David Pastrnak has pointed out.

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Tried to ask every player if there's one thing they'd want to change about the NHL. Several, especially the younger ones, basically said, «What do I have to complain about? I'm living my dream, and making good money.» Two goalies - Sam Ersson and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - said they'd get rid of the shootout. (Tomas Hertl liked that, too.) If the shootout stays, Pastrnak said the game-winning goal should count to a scorer's individual total as is done in Europe. Hischier likes more European games. Aho and Nino Niederreiter wanted a return to one-versus-eight playoff seeding in each conference.

While the shootout has its fans for the sheer entertainment value, the concerns may outweigh the positives. Is it time for the NHL to reconsider the shootout?

Source Sportsnet:32 Thoughts: A collection of late off-season notes

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POLL
26 AOUT \| 97 ANSWERS NHL stars urging Gary Bettman to scrap the league's most hated rule Do you think Gary Bettman and the NHL should replace the shootout?
Yes	81	83.5 %
No	16	16.5 %
List of polls