When the NHL implemented a new rule for 2005-06 banning line changes for teams that iced the puck, the idea was to try and take advantage of that tired team and create offense as a result.

But coaches quickly adjusted and began using their one timeout in that specific situation, giving their players on the ice some rest.

So the NHL's 31 general managers decided Wednesday to counteract their own coaches, agreeing to a recommendation for the Competition Committee that teams can no longer use their timeout during icing penalties, starting next season.

Also coming out of the meetings, the bye week will return but in a drastically different format. Bettman announced officially what has been rumored for a while now, that all the five-day byes will occur within a two-week period, with half of the NHL's teams off one week and the other half the following week.