Hockey players call for an end to the NHL Shootout

Goaltenders Samuel Ersson of the Philadelphia Flyers and , Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, of the Buffalo Sabres along with Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl have all voiced their desire to see the shootout scrapped. Meanwhile, Boston Bruins superstar David Pastrnak has suggested that shootout-winning goals should at least count towards a player's individual stats.

The NHL added the shootout in 2006 to abolish ties but instead it's created more problems.

The format feel like a fair way to decide a game. The show is essentially a one-on-one skills competition.

It's not something that transpires in the Stanley Cup Playoffs so why make this a habit the regular season? We understand teams shouldn't be forced to play endless overtime periods during the grind, but that's why we have 3 on 3 to give us more open ice. The league should stick with five minute periods of that format until we have a winner.

Even the NHL acknowledges the limitations by not allowing shootouts to decide playoff tiebreakers. It's regulation wins first, overtime wins, and then only are shootout wins are counted in the «Total Wins» category.

With the next CBA negotiations coming up in the 2025-26 season, it's possible the league might consider changes to the shootout and overtime rules, especially if more players continue to speak out against it.

Source: Oilers Daily
Multiple Players Call on league to abolish shootout