The NHL's 30 general managers are in Boca Raton, Fla. for their annual meetings.
Here's a look at the expected talking points, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:
- Coach's challenge: One of the big questions around this topic is whether the reviews should be handled by the on-ice officials or if the decision should come from the league's war room in Toronto. Much has been made about the size of the screens used by the officials, and the idea of assessing a two-minute delay-of-game penalty to the team that loses a coach's challenge could also be floated as a possibility for next season.
- Expansion draft: The NHL is expected to present the general outline for a possible expansion draft. While there's been no decision on whether teams will be added, general managers are looking for a heads up in terms of how it could play out so they can plan ahead.
- Rule 48: It's believed some GMs would like Rule 48 - which addresses hits to the head - to be redefined so it covers incidents where the perpetrator didn't necessarily extend upwards and outwards to make contact with the head, or regardless of whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position. This hit by Anton Stralman on Bryan Little, which was not penalized, is likely to be used as an example:
- Draft lottery: This is expected to be a hot topic, especially with the Edmonton Oilers in the running to "earn" their fifth first overall pick in seven years. The argument will be made that teams shouldn't be able to win in back-to-back years or two within a certain number of years.
- Goal scoring: Reducing the size goalie equipment is set to be the likely first step in the quest to increase the number of goals scored around the league.
The meetings were expected to begin Monday at 8 a.m. ET.
