Regular readers will already know my feelings on the shootout, so I’d be remiss not to pass along Calgary general manager Brian Burke’s.
Burke on shootout: "I don't like the shootout. I think it's a circus stunt... I think it's horse[bleep]."
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) February 28, 2014
Burke made those comments today at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, where, by the way, he’s always a big hit with the stats enthusiasts.
And we're off. Burke asked immediately if his view on analytics has changed. Says no immediately: "I think it's an eyeballs business."
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) February 28, 2014
Burke: "I would never do Moneyball because it's boring... I have to entertain people." #SSAC14
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) February 28, 2014
But back to Burke’s anti-shootout comments, because those were just the latest from an NHL general manager. Dave Nonis and Ken Holland have also called for ways to reduce the significant number of shootouts that are deciding games, including extending overtime and introducing 3-on-3 overtime.