NHL Research - New rules etc

[stop__dreaming]

Upon reading TSN's article on the ideas for new rules etc, I was wondering what you guys think of them.


- Having three faceoff dots, one in each zone, down the centre of the rink.

- Using a variation of the faceoff, where a whistle starts play rather than the traditional puck drop.

- If a player is deemed to have committed a face-off violation, he will be required to move back and keep his skates behind a "penalty line" (1' foot further back) to take the faceoff.

- Trying both no-touch icing and a hybrid icing rule, where referees can blow the play dead prior to the defending player touching the puck.

- Having the second referee located off the playing surface.

- Not allowing a team to change lines after it commits an offside.

- In overtime, having three minutes of 4 on 4, followed by three minutes of 3 on 3 and finally three minutes of 2 on 2.

- Having five players from each team participate in the shoot Out and they shall proceed in such order as the coach selects. If it's tied at the end of the shootout, it goes to sudden death shooting and no one shall shoot twice until all eligible shooters have shot.

- Narrowing the shallowness of the net by four inches to create more ice behind the net and enable more wrap-around attempts.

- Increasing the size of the crease proportionally in all directions by 3 inches.


I personally think the three face-off circles down the centre of the rink is a stupid idea, but the no-touch icing for example, is a good shout.

What do you think and what new 'rules' would you implement? (Am waiting for the first 'Betmann out rule' already, haha.

The full article can be read here:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=330922

[RGM81]

- Having three faceoff dots, one in each zone, down the centre of the rink.
Visually unappealing. I like the two per zone - it forces teams to make adjustments and can set up different plays based on the spot.

- Using a variation of the faceoff, where a whistle starts play rather than the traditional puck drop.
I like this one. Remember when we are all kids playing floor hockey? Puck starts on the ground, sticks on the ice, then you tap sticks to "N-H-L" and then go for the puck. It'd be awesome!

- If a player is deemed to have committed a face-off violation, he will be required to move back and keep his skates behind a "penalty line" (1' foot further back) to take the faceoff.
They also had a concept wherein if there was a violation and the player was kicked out, the other team could pick who would take the draw. I like this 1' rule better.

- Trying both no-touch icing and a hybrid icing rule, where referees can blow the play dead prior to the defending player touching the puck.
Smart, and long overdue. It will minimize injuries but still leave it up to the official's discretion as to whether or not to have the play automatically stop.

- Having the second referee located off the playing surface.
Did they go into detail as to where? Press box? Section 101? I don't know about that one.

- Not allowing a team to change lines after it commits an offside.
I don't see the point.

- In overtime, having three minutes of 4 on 4, followed by three minutes of 3 on 3 and finally three minutes of 2 on 2.
That's a bit much.

- Having five players from each team participate in the shoot Out and they shall proceed in such order as the coach selects. If it's tied at the end of the shootout, it goes to sudden death shooting and no one shall shoot twice until all eligible shooters have shot.
It would certainly build the excitement and drama of the shootout beyond the current three rounds.

- Narrowing the shallowness of the net by four inches to create more ice behind the net and enable more wrap-around attempts.
They were talking about this on the NHL Network at some length yesterday. It seems interesting - they also were discussing using white posts and red mesh for the goals. Players said that the nets looked smaller so that probably won't last.

- Increasing the size of the crease proportionally in all directions by 3 inches.
Gotta throw the goalies a bone.

[centrehice]

- If a player is deemed to have committed a face-off violation, he will be required to move back and keep his skates behind a "penalty line" (1' foot further back) to take the faceoff.
____________________________

This will put an end to the cheating Crosby as a face-off winner.

[centrehice]

I don't like the shalowness of the net thingy. Nope. You will see disputed goals to no end, and if they happen fast enough, the replay might have some trouble.

They are opening up a Pandora's Box with that baby.

[marekschwarz33]

Here are my opinions on the NHL Research rule suggestions:

- Having three faceoff dots, one in each zone, down the centre of the rink.
Not a good idea IMO but, it would increase scoring. It could lead to some interesting face-off positioning for the defensive team, especially the D-men.
- Using a variation of the faceoff, where a whistle starts play rather than the traditional puck drop.
hmm...It could work I guess

- If a player is deemed to have committed a face-off violation, he will be required to move back and keep his skates behind a "penalty line" (1' foot further back) to take the faceoff.
No, they should allow the opposing team to choose their face-off opponent instead.
- Trying both no-touch icing and a hybrid icing rule, where referees can blow the play dead prior to the defending player touching the puck.
Sounds like a good idea. No-touch works well in other leagues but this way they won't completely get rid of the touch icing.

- Having the second referee located off the playing surface.
I'm not sure honestly...

- Not allowing a team to change lines after it commits an offside.
I think this would speed up the game some but, I offsides is fine as-is IMO.
- In overtime, having three minutes of 4 on 4, followed by three minutes of 3 on 3 and finally three minutes of 2 on 2.
Not a fan of this suggestion, but 2 on 2 hockey would be interesting I guess...
- Having five players from each team participate in the shoot Out and they shall proceed in such order as the coach selects. If it's tied at the end of the shootout, it goes to sudden death shooting and no one shall shoot twice until all eligible shooters have shot.
I like this idea, it makes sense.

- Narrowing the shallowness of the net by four inches to create more ice behind the net and enable more wrap-around attempts.
I actually think goalies could adapt to this fairly easily- a well performed shaft-down save could stop these attempts

- Increasing the size of the crease proportionally in all directions by 3 inches.

How about this? Keep the crease the same size as it is now but get rid of the trapezoid! Fair trade? I think so. Goalies like to contribute to the offense too!

[qwas]

I think they need to swing these ridiculous rules over to soccer or football or basketball. Hockey is what it is, it doesn't need anything drastic as far as changes are concerned. I also absolutely hate the idea of 4on4 3on3 etc. Hockey is based on 5on5 and that is the way it should be through-out the game. Can you imagine if they started taking players off the field for each extra inning if the game goes over 9 in baseball or maybe they should remove the quarterback after regular time in a football game? The only rule change I do agree with is no touch icing. This would save a lot of injuries.

[30ranfordfan]

Here's my responses:

- Having three faceoff dots, one in each zone, down the centre of the rink.
Pass. No need. What's wrong with left / right side of the zone both being a faceoff spot?

- Using a variation of the faceoff, where a whistle starts play rather than the traditional puck drop.
Again, pass. This is someone trying to make the game more like shinney. It's silly, and way too gimmicky.

- If a player is deemed to have committed a face-off violation, he will be required to move back and keep his skates behind a "penalty line" (1' foot further back) to take the faceoff.
Better idea: Throw him out of the circle, and make another player on his team take the draw. Penalty line? I hope they're not serious.

- Trying both no-touch icing and a hybrid icing rule, where referees can blow the play dead prior to the defending player touching the puck.
Just go to no-touch icing already, and be done with it.

- Having the second referee located off the playing surface.
Get rid of the 2nd referee, and let linesmen call penalties.

- Not allowing a team to change lines after it commits an offside.
What's the point?

- In overtime, having three minutes of 4 on 4, followed by three minutes of 3 on 3 and finally three minutes of 2 on 2.
Worse than the shootout.

- Having five players from each team participate in the shoot Out and they shall proceed in such order as the coach selects. If it's tied at the end of the shootout, it goes to sudden death shooting and no one shall shoot twice until all eligible shooters have shot.
Fine by me.

- Narrowing the shallowness of the net by four inches to create more ice behind the net and enable more wrap-around attempts.
Would that not make the net less stable? I don't have a problem with it - the size of the net (for shooting purposes) doesn't change. If it doesn't lead to more knocked over nets, or safety issues.... sure, I guess?

- Increasing the size of the crease proportionally in all directions by 3 inches
What's the point?

[zunato]

I am not going to worry about any of these until the NHL says they are doing it. If they adopt a new rule like no touch icing it's going to take a year or two before they do it in the NHL. They have to make sure all the kinks are out first, so you'll see them using it in the AHL and other leagues for a season or two before it gets to the NHL.

[centrehice]

There's never been anything wrong with Hockey. Bettman has lost the plot and needs to go. PRONTO !!

[sko789]

well here are the things i like about it : goalie lines increase, reduction of net, and i dont mind the shootout rule. everything else im not a fan of. I like races for the puck on potential icings. I like the face-off dots where they are, why add another????? another linesman? for what?? I like hockey the way it is, the blindside hits i dont like and the NHL addressed that. i dont know, we'll see what happens this next season, they might not adopt any of it, ya never know.