TORONTO -- Changing the structure of overtime in NHL regular-season games might not be imminent, but continued discussions among the leagues general managers show there is interest in extending the extra period to cut down on the number of shootouts. wholesale nfl jerseys . Overtime was one of many of topics discussed at Tuesdays annual general managers meeting after Hockey Hall of Fame induction night, along with fighting, hybrid icing and the playoff format that was introduced for this season. No formal rule changes came about, though the purpose of this get-together is more to set up the next meeting in March. Forty of the first 262 games this season have gone to a shootout. GMs have been discussing making overtime 10 minutes to cut down on shootouts "to some degree," according to Ken Holland of the Detroit Red Wings. Holland proposed five minutes of four-on-four and then three minutes of three-on-three, while Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues and others want simply 10 minutes of four-on-four. "I think there was an appetite in the room from all the managers and also from (commissioner Gary Bettman) to look at a way to extend overtime," Holland said. "And were talking about possibly do we switch (ends), longer changes and do some things to try to maybe have better ice, whether its more shovelling or something." Holland said its possible overtime gets extended to seven or eight minutes instead of 10, which he considers an improvement he could live with. Fighting was discussed both in general terms and in regard to goaltenders, after incidents this season involving Montreal tough guy George Parros suffering a concussion after his head hit the ice and Philadelphia goaltender Ray Emery skating over the red-line to pummel Washington netminder Braden Holtby. Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said there wasnt much of a push to change the punishment for skaters fighting, but he and his colleagues discussed adding more of a punishment for goalies who cross centre to fight like Emery did. The GMs also got clarification on the playoff format, which could include wild-card teams crossing over because of total points even if four make it from each division in one conference. Under the new alignment and format, the top three teams from each division and two wild cards from each conference qualify. "Certainly my personal opinion is wherever possible to stay within the division, it creates rivalries, less travel," Holland said. "Thats obviously part of the reason why we went to two divisions in each conference was to build rivalries, less travel. Obviously theres a crossover component, we talked about it today, and thats why were going to continue to talk about it in March." Director of officiating Stephen Walkom briefed the GMs on hybrid icing, which Bettman said Monday was an ongoing adjustment for players and officials. Walkom said there are roughly the same number of icing plays as previous seasons but noted that no one has been injured crashing into the boards. Bullying was brought up in light of the situation with Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin of the NFLs Miami Dolphins. "Every now and then, we all have to be reminded about whats acceptable and whats not," Yzerman said. cheap nfl jerseys . All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained side muscle prior to Fridays game against the Chicago White Sox. cheap jerseys . Third-place Napoli remained three points ahead of Fiorentina, which won 2-0. "We played with high intensity and skill, at a very high level," Napoli coach Rafa Benitez said. "Higuain is making the difference but his teammates helped him a lot. PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have designated linebacker Jason Worilds as the teams transition player for 2014. Worilds was set to become a free agent next week, but now the Steelers will have five days to match any offer he receives. Free agency begins March 11. The transition tag for linebackers is $9.754 million. Worilds was drafted in the second round (52nd overalll) in 2010 out of Virginia Tech. nfl jerseys china. Hes started 21 of 57 regular-season games in which hes played and has 121 tackles (90 solo), 18 sacks and three forced fumbles. Last season he set career highs in starts (11), tackles (54), sacks (8) and forced fumbles (2). Pittsburgh is nearly $6 million over the salary cap of $133 million that goes into effect next week. ' ' '
