TSN’s Hockey Insiders examines the various topics discussed at Tuesday’s NHL GM meetings, why Ken Holland joined NHL Hockey Operations, internal league promotions and discussions surrounding players in difficulty. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Various topics discussed at NHL general managers meetings

JAMES DUTHIE: Here are your insiders: Chris Johnston, Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger.

The day after the Hall of Fame ceremony is always the time for general managers to meet with the NHL and take stock, and they also got a little warning, Pierre?

PIERRE LEBRUN: Yeah, James. A little talk about tampering from NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly to the assembled general managers at the three-and-a-half-hour meeting. And as Bill Daly later told me, it was more of a simple reminder that the league hadn’t talked about or emphasized the rules regarding tampering for a few years now, and he felt it was time.

I asked him, “Well, why was it about time?”, and he said he was, quote, “a little uncomfortable” with some of the comments he saw in the media at July 1st approached last year, and that gave him the impression that there had been negotiations before July 1st.

He just wanted to remind GMs that you can’t do this until July 1st and there are repercussions, in terms of fines and/or potential loss of draft picks, so we’ll see what impact this conversation has by Bill Daly had before. next July 1st.

CHRIS JOHNSTON: And one item that we talked to you about before the general managers’ meeting was the fact that the league had asked the general managers’ executive committee to come up with some ideas for adjustments that they would like to see in collective bargaining, starting with players. in the new year.

I think the most interesting among the long list of responses they received is the idea of, perhaps, reducing the length of contracts even more than it currently does.

You will recall that in 2013, term limits were imposed. Seven years if you sign someone else’s player, eight years for your own player. There is a desire, at least at the level of general managers, to see this pushed even further.

During the 2013 negotiations, the NHL insisted for five years. I’m not sure this is a priority issue for the league itself, but general managers would certainly welcome it, and when CBA negotiations begin in January, it will be an interesting issue to follow.

DARREN DREGER: Guys, the coaches’ challenge, unsurprisingly, was on the program. No discussion or debate, perhaps, was an NHL strategy.

But NHL general managers were asked to take time off for the rest of the season before their March meetings and pay attention to challenges from other coaches.

Yes, goalie interference is still controversial, but the league wants input from general managers. Ideas on the Coaches Challenge decision-making process.

Should it be expanded? Should they reduce it? Bring these ideas back to the March meetings.

Holland accepts new job in NHL hockey operations

DUTHIE: Kenny Holland was on hand Monday night to present the Hall of Fame plaque to Pavel Datsyuk, great time, and Kenny Holland was offered a new job, Pierre?

LEBRUN: Yes, he signed a one-year contract for the remainder of the season with NHL Hockey Ops as a consultant.

He’s been discussing the possibility with the NHL’s Colin Campbell since the summer, but of course he’s also received calls from teams about a potential advisory role.

Ultimately, I spoke with Ken Holland after the general managers meeting, he said that’s what made the most sense to him right now. He was the right person to step into the league’s hockey operations.

Let’s be honest, Ken Holland has always been very involved in discussions and potential rule changes. He’s the product of a three-on-three extension, so it’s a natural next step for him in the interim to join Hockey Ops, but he said it’s strange to sit on this side from the room at the NHL general managers meeting after all. these years as general manager.

Senior promotions at the league office

JOHNSTON: Late last week, the NHL carried out a series of internal senior promotions. Steve Mayer, Keith Wachtel, Steve McArdle, Julie Grand all got new titles, a title increase I would say.

But it’s the why here that I find most interesting, and that’s because the league is starting to look a little towards the future. Gary Bettman is 72, Hall of Famer Colin Campbell is 71.

The upper management of this league has been consistent for so long, and some owners are starting to wonder, “What’s the succession plan, what’s next?” »

People like Bettman and Campbell have no plans to retire yet, but I think they want to make sure the senior management team is in place going forward, so that there is this continuity whenever the time comes for them to withdraw.

The Penguins continue their difficulties at the start of the season

DUTHIE: On the ice, the Pens are destroyed 7-1 by Dallas, they are penultimate in the Metro. Where are they going? What are they doing, Dregs?

DREGER: Well, look. Let’s be honest, Monday was an embarrassment for everyone associated with the Pittsburgh Penguins. You’re right, seventh in the division, 24th in the National Hockey League. But I can tell you that, despite what is speculated, there is no sell-out.

Kyle Dubas, the general manager, recently reached out to other general managers and said, “Hey, I’m open for business. If you have any ideas, call me.

It’s standard practice for NHL GMs, especially struggling ones like the Penguins, but there’s no sense of panic at this point.

DUTHIE: Nobody is going to pity them, three Cups in the last 15 years. But if this continues, it will be difficult to see Sidney Crosby end his career this way in Pittsburgh.