Summit tackles current standard of rules enforcement

TORONTO -- A group of nearly three dozen hockey minds -- general managers, coaches, players, former players, on-ice officials, and National Hockey League executives -- have come together this week at the League's office for a two-day collaborative summit to discuss the NHL's current standard of rule enforcement.

The summit began Tuesday with a five-hour meeting that included discussion on the standards for hooking, holding, slashing and interference penalties. It continues Wednesday morning with another three-hour block of time set aside to review what the group discussed Tuesday and to come to a consensus on what, if any, changes are required to the standard of rule enforcement.

"It's really good discussion," Phoenix Coyotes coach Dave Tippett told NHL.com. "I was involved in the one in '04-'05 and it's good just to come back and discuss where the game has gone, where improvements can be made. It's a never-ending process to try to make sure we have the best game on the ice. I think it's great to have a situation like this where you have players, coaches, general managers, referees -- it's great to hear all the insight."

Tippett is among five coaches at the summit. He is joined by Boston's Claude Julien, Chicago's Joel Quenneville, Nashville's Barry Trotz and Washington's Adam Oates. The general managers are New Jersey's Lou Lamoriello, Buffalo's Darcy Regier, Pittsburgh's Ray Shero and Tampa Bay's Steve Yzerman.

Ottawa's Jason Spezza, Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos, Pittsburgh's James Neal, Calgary's Mike Cammalleri, Toronto's John-Michael Liles and Vancouver's Kevin Bieksa are representing the players. The National Hockey League Players' Association is represented by Special Assistant to the Executive Director Mathieu Schneider and division representative Rob Zamuner.

NHL Director of Officiating Terry Gregson, Stephen Walkom, Wes McCauley, Brad Watson, Bill McCreary, Jean Morin, Kevin Collins and Dave Baker are the officials taking part in the summit.

"The participation by the players, referees, coaches and managers I thought was outstanding and the common denominator, I thought, was simply trying to get consistency and get an understanding of what is in the mindset of a referee at different times and also in the minds of the players," Lamoriello told NHL.com. "I think that is what it is all about."

Tippett said he most appreciated the opinions of the players.

"I thought the players were outstanding in there because they really have an insight as to how the game is moving along," he said. "They give you great insight on what players are thinking today.

"It was a very constructive meeting," Tippett added. "Is there anything earth-shattering coming out of it? Probably not, but it really continues to give everybody ideas on how we can improve our game. It's a great game already, but we just always want to try to improve."

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl