Rules changes for the NHL

[Whoozyerdaddy]

The NHL is back and they are changing a few rules.

Smaller pads for goalies
Limited puck handling zone for goalies
Bigger offensive zones
No two line pass rule
Shootouts after overtime

Sounds like the records for goals and points are going buh-bye. I like it. It's going to open up the game to more offense. I've followed the WCHL (Now part of the ECHL) for years and they use the shootout system. Shootouts rock. This is going to be great.

 

[slick230]

Well, if it gets rid of "The Trap", then that's a good thing. The Trap was one of the worst things to happen to the game. It slowed down so much, cut down on offense, and really made it a boring thing to watch. Smaller goalie pads are good. Some of those guys are pretty big to begin with, and with the pads they were allowed to wear, it was like shooting the puck at a garage door. The puck handling zone change for goalies is also a good thing. These guys were leaving the crease and acting like a 3rd defenseman hald the time, clearing the puck form way in the corners sometimes. Kepp the goalies where they belong, in the net, and let the defensemen earn their pay.

 

[BCYL]

Like smaller pads, bigger offensive zones, and 2-line passing... These should make the game more exciting...

HATE shoot-outs, and I think the goalies should be allowed to handle the puck if they want and not be restricted by rules...

 

[bootymac]

I like everything except for restricting goalies stickhandling. This royally screws some of the goalies out there.

Also, it doesn't add a lot of style or variation between goalies now

 

[Insane3D]

I've seen all these rules in action in the AHL this past season, and they all work well...including the shootout. The goalie restriction works out much better in practice than it sounds on paper. They just can't come out and trap it in the corner, they have a small area around the net they can work with if the puck get's there, they just can't go chasing the puck everywhere.

The one rule they did do in the AHL that I'm glad they aren;t doing in the NHL is the no touch icing. That is AWFUL and should stay in college...

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: bootymac
I like everything except for restricting goalies stickhandling. This royally screws some of the goalies out there.

Also, it doesn't add a lot of style or variation between goalies now

There is no restriction on stick handling, they just can only play the pcuk in a smaller zone around and behind the net...they can't chase the puck into the corners or come way out into the offensive zone to get it now is all...

Trust me, I saw 40+ AHL games last year and it's works much better in practice than it sounds on paper...

 

[Wonderful Pork]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: bootymac
I like everything except for restricting goalies stickhandling. This royally screws some of the goalies out there.

Also, it doesn't add a lot of style or variation between goalies now

There is no restriction on stick handling, they just can only play the pcuk in a smaller zone around and behind the net...they can't chase the puck into the corners or come way out into the offensive zone to get it now is all...

Trust me, I saw 40+ AHL games last year and it's works much better in practice than it sounds on paper...

It is plenty exciting when they go out into the corner and the puck carroms off the boards in a different direction leaving the net wide open. And I LOVED when Roy stickhandled to damn near the red line a couple years back!

 

[SSP]

Hitchcock was talking about 'obstruction' and speeding up the game like it was a good thing for him. He made extensive use of the trap and employed any strategy to slow down the top lines.

Edit - I'm glad shoot out is only there for the regular season. I love the ole' fight till you're dead playoff hockey.

 

[Kerouactivist]

Do mean to troll but, I'm still need watching it...

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: bthorny
Do mean to troll but, I'm still need watching it...

You..less time troll...more time in english class...

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Wonderful Pork
It is plenty exciting when they go out into the corner and the puck carroms off the boards in a different direction leaving the net wide open. And I LOVED when Roy stickhandled to damn near the red line a couple years back!

It was exciting, but then the goalie could just stand in front of the puck and no one could hit them. Trust me, give it a chance and I think you will like it...

 

[Sentrosi2121]

I am, for the first time in about 5 years, excited to see the NHL back. I love the rule changes. Even the shootout does not bother me. You still have the 4 on 4 overtime 5 minute period but, if they can't decide the winner in that 5 minutes, I'm all for a shootout. What I say to those who complain about the shootout is this, "If you don't like a shootout, then you better hope both teams settle it in the first 65 minutes." Give me a 33-22 record line and not 33-22-11-4 anytime.

 

[slick230]

Originally posted by: Sentrosi2121
I am, for the first time in about 5 years, excited to see the NHL back. I love the rule changes. Even the shootout does not bother me. You still have the 4 on 4 overtime 5 minute period but, if they can't decide the winner in that 5 minutes, I'm all for a shootout. What I say to those who complain about the shootout is this, "If you don't like a shootout, then you better hope both teams settle it in the first 65 minutes." Give me a 33-22 record line and not 33-22-11-4 anytime.

Aww, but that would mean no more 5+ hour long games. I used to love staying up REAL late watching playoff games that went triple, quadruple, QUINTUPLE overtime.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: slick230

Originally posted by: Sentrosi2121
I am, for the first time in about 5 years, excited to see the NHL back. I love the rule changes. Even the shootout does not bother me. You still have the 4 on 4 overtime 5 minute period but, if they can't decide the winner in that 5 minutes, I'm all for a shootout. What I say to those who complain about the shootout is this, "If you don't like a shootout, then you better hope both teams settle it in the first 65 minutes." Give me a 33-22 record line and not 33-22-11-4 anytime.

Aww, but that would mean no more 5+ hour long games. I used to love staying up REAL late watching playoff games that went triple, quadruple, QUINTUPLE overtime.

Ahh yes those games ruled...

 

[Rock Hydra]

I like the new rules.

 

[oogabooga]

the shootout only effects regular season i believe. Which in my opinion is good cause if there is one thing americans seem to hate, it is a tie. I believe it is because americans are too stupid too accept that sometimes there isn't a victor/loser (look out wars for example). But that's another discussion.

are they increasing net sizes too? I hope not, cutting goalie pads + increased net sizes + goalie zones would be a pretty harsh change to deal with for most nhl goalies.

i'm excited to see the nhl back, and i hope these rule changes only help the game

 

[imported_hscorpio]

Are they going to crack down on fighting more? I used to love seeing the fights break out, but they don't really help the game become more mainstream.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: hscorpio
Are they going to crack down on fighting more? I used to love seeing the fights break out, but they don't really help the game become more mainstream.

Fighting is part of the NHL period. The NHL will never be mainstream, so to try to change core part of the game for the chance it might attract some new fans is not worth it IMO.

 

[murphy55d]

I do not like the no 2 line passes(cherry picking 101 now), nor do I like not getting a line change after you ice the puck. you are already punished for icing the puck by having the faceoff deep in your zone.... now you cant line change either? ugh.

 

[slick230]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: hscorpio
Are they going to crack down on fighting more? I used to love seeing the fights break out, but they don't really help the game become more mainstream.

Fighting is part of the NHL period. The NHL will never be mainstream, so to try to change core part of the game for the chance it might attract some new fans is not worth it IMO.

Agreed. Fighting has it's place in the game and it just wouldn't be the same without the occasional slobberknocker.

 

[imported_hscorpio]

Originally posted by: slick230

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: hscorpio
Are they going to crack down on fighting more? I used to love seeing the fights break out, but they don't really help the game become more mainstream.

Fighting is part of the NHL period. The NHL will never be mainstream, so to try to change core part of the game for the chance it might attract some new fans is not worth it IMO.

Agreed. Fighting has it's place in the game and it just wouldn't be the same without the occasional slobberknocker.

Yeah but haven't they been cracking down on fighting for like the last decade or so? I know the fights don't seem nearly as common as they were even as late as the early 90's.

 

[Insane3D]

Instigator rule...

Most...retarded....rule....ever...

 

[Sentrosi2121]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
I do not like the no 2 line passes(cherry picking 101 now), nor do I like not getting a line change after you ice the puck. you are already punished for icing the puck by having the faceoff deep in your zone.... now you cant line change either? ugh.

They probably put that rule into place to keep you from 'cherry picking' too much. Basically, if you're going to make that outlet pass, you better be damn sure someone on your team is on the receiving end of it.

Shootouts are only for regular season. And I do love the 5 hour long playoff games. I remember sitting up watching the Red Wings/Blues Double OT game that Yzerman won on that slapper from the blue line. Freaking awesome! That is why playoff hockey > all other championship games. The most punishing and most rewarding tournament ever.

 

[imported_hscorpio]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Instigator rule...

Most...retarded....rule....ever...

I had to look it up;

INSTIGATOR RULE

* A player who instigates a fight in the final five minutes of a game will receive a game misconduct and an automatic one-game suspension. The length of suspension would double for each additional incident.

* As well, the player's Coach will be fined $10,000 -- a fine that would double for each such incident.Text

At least they only made it apply to the last 5 mins.

 

[Triumph]

Fine the coach as well? That's just stupid.