NHL GMs Agree to Expand the Playoff Pool

The National Hockey League brought together its 30 general managers today, with debates ranging from the size of the net to the size of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Here's what they decided, according to various media sources:

• The Stanley Cup playoffs will expand from 16 to 20 teams. According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the new format sees the top six teams in each conference qualifying for the playoffs. The next four teams in each conference conduct a preliminary, best-of-three "play-in" round, with the winners advancing to complete the usual 16-team pool.
• McKenzie also reports that the order of the next NHL Entry Draft, whenever it may be, will be set through a weighted lottery. Teams that missed the playoffs in the last few years will have a better chance of winning the top pick, but every team will have a shot. This was the subject of much heated discussion, because this year's top prize is Sidney Crosby.
• The threat to expand the size of the nets is not serious. It seems the notion was floated to get the attention of goaltenders, and make them more agreeable to a less drastic measure: smaller goaltending equipment. If so, the ploy worked. Canadian Press reports that the dean of NHL goalies, Martin Brodeur, accepts that "there will be a change" in equipment size.
• The NHL will establish a competition committee, a small group representing general managers, players, coaches and referees. Al Strachan of the Toronto Sun reports that this will streamline future decisions on rule changes and other ideas to change the game.