A few days ago during the NHL All-Star break, the general managers from each team all got together to discuss the possibility of instituting some new rules into the NHL next season that would make the game more exciting and faster paced as well as increase goal scoring (See the stories here and here). Not the silly rules that I posted about below, but real (and in some cases extreme) changes to the actual game itself.

First off, two rules that will go into effect immediately this season are, 1.) If a puck enters the net while the net is wobbling on it's moorings, that will now stand as a goal. And 2.) If any player is streaking toward a loose puck and headed for a breakaway, a penalty shot may be awarded if the player is dragged down before he is in possession of the puck. In the past, he would have to have already acquired it.

As far as next season goes, the biggest change proposed would prohibit goaltenders from leaving the crease and skating behind the net to play pucks that are dumped into the corners. The idea is that forechecking would be easier and the puck wouldn't just get slapped back out of the zone by the goalie. The next change for goalies is decreasing the width of the leg pads from 12 inches back down to 10 inches which is where they were before 1989. I'm not sure why they changed in the first place but I think it had something to do with the newer designs that offered more protection for the 'tenders legs.

The next major change has to do with moving the goals back closer to the end boards like they used to be. Currently they sit 13 feet from the boards behind them. The proposition is to move them back 3 feet so that they would be 10 feet from the boards like the days of old. This would of course increase the size of the offensive zone. To counter that they want to move the blue lines in towards the goals 3 feet to keep the zones the same size. This would in turn make the neutral zone 6 feet larger (from 54 feet up to 60) and hopefully give teams more room to work the puck and set up an attack.

Another old rule that may make a comeback is what is known as the "tag-up" offsides rule. This means that when a player crosses the blue line ahead of the puck, instead of the whistle being blown immediately, the player has a chance to go make a quick turn, throw one skate back outside the blue line, and then can rejoin the play. Essentially "tagging-up" like a runner would on a pop fly in baseball.

The next couple of rules have to do with points awarded and standings. The managers have proposed a new system giving three points to a team for a regulation win, two points to a team for an overtime win, and one point for an overtime loss. What about ties you may ask? Ummm they won't exist any more. After the standard 5 min, 4 on 4 overtime period, if the teams are still deadlocked the game would move to a shootout. Five players on each team go "mano a mano" with the opposing teams goalie. At the end of the round if the shootout ends tied, they move to a round two. Could make for some great highlight reels.

BTW, for another point of view on rule changes that could be made, check out this article written by ESPN's John Buccigross.

- these thoughts flowed through Jeff's fingers @ 12:16 AM