Will these proposed New Rules Destroy the NHL Game?

[minir]

Hi to all

Imho they are treading on thin ice. Too many changes too soon imho.

Shoot outs are a chintzy addition as they take away the hard work of the Team & its Players and put it in the hands of Lady Luck. There is nothing wrong with a Tie Score. In some cases it is deserved.

10 minutes of Overtime during the Regular Season should be the norm imho and the only deciding factor.

Many of the other Changes are simply not needed and adding another Round to the Playoffs is unfair to those who have worked so hard to earn a place imho. Simply added Gate Receipts for the Owners..

What's your opinion on it?
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IT'S LIKELY four more teams and an extra round will be included in the playoffs when the National Hockey League resumes play, the Toronto Sun has learned.

According to sources, the NHL is considering adding two more teams from each conference and a best-of-three preliminary round added to the four best-of-seven rounds that exist now.

It is expected NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will reveal the details when he announces that the owners have ended their lockout, something that could happen later this week.

The league also is considering some other significant rules changes, including adding three minutes to regular-season overtime and a three-man shootout if the teams remain tied.

These are just some of the many proposals recently put forth by Colin Campbell, NHL executive vice-president and director of hockey operations.


And although Campbell does not have the authority to institute these changes himself, his recommendations to the board of governors almost are certain to be rubber-stamped.

Under Campbell's proposals, playoff qualification would be tiered with the top 10 teams in each conference qualifying.

The teams finishing seventh through 10th would then have a best-of-three playoff, probably seventh versus 10th and eighth versus ninth.

The precise format of that playoff has yet to be determined, but it is understood that it has to be completed within six days before the next round. Once the season ends, there will be an off-day, followed by back-to-back games, probably a home-and-home matchup.

Then there will be another off-day followed by the third game if necessary. After one more off-day, the full playoffs with 16 teams playing best-of-seven series will begin.

This means a team could now need to play 31 post-season games to win the Stanley Cup, rather than the existing maximum of 28.

In his memo to the general managers explaining the rule recommendations, Campbell expressed a number of admirable aims. But he's walking a very wobbly tightrope.

He said that one of his aims was to increase the number of scoring chances while maintaining the "physicality" of the game.

He wants to let the more skilled players exhibit their talents and take away the defensive team's tools while giving them to the offensive team.

But at the same time, he proposes a two-point system that, in the eyes of some general managers, will merely encourage defensively oriented coaches to become less offensively minded than ever.

It is the league's theory that the new format will militate against defensive coaches. If the game is tied after 60 minutes, the two teams will play a five-minute, four-on-four overtime.

If nothing is settled, they will then play a three-minute three-on-three overtime. If the game remains tied, the shootout begins. The eventual winner earns two points; the loser gets none and there can be no tie games.

The league contends that the fewer players there are on the ice, the harder it is to play defence. Therefore, coaches will try to open up and win the game in regulation before being exposed to four-on-four or three-on-three.

Some GMs fear, however, that the league has underestimated the abilities -- and defensive passion -- that these coaches exhibit. No matter how few players are on the ice, the numbers are still even and a good checker still has only to break even in a one-on-one battle.

As for the shootout, the debate over the format had been solved.

Most GMs expected a five-man shooting rotation, as is the case in international hockey, but some had suggested a full 18-man rotation with every non-goalie taking a shot before any player had his second crack.

Campbell, however, prefers a three-man format, perhaps because some teams don't have five genuine snipers.

These are just some of the highlights of Campbell's proposals, but there are many other recommendations that will change the nature of the game as fans have come to know it.

The reduced size of goaltenders' equipment has been well reported. Also, goaltenders will be limited in their puck handling.

But there's also a new twist. There will be a crackdown on freezing the puck by goaltenders, removing the leeway that had crept in over the course of recent seasons.

The red line will be removed as a factor in off-side calls. Again, this is an area of contention with general managers. Some feel it will open up the game -- and if the league were awarding three points for a regulation-time win, rather than two, that might be the case.

But many GMs are worried that some coaches will just drop defenders back and set up the trap in a slightly different location, thereby making offensive forays even less frequent.

The goal line will be moved back two feet to increase the size of the neutral zone by four feet, and there will be a slight change in the role of the blue line, which has been widened.

The puck will no longer have to cross the entire blue line in order to make the play onside. Now it just has to gain the blue line.

There will, of course, be the mandatory annual crackdown on restraining fouls, and perhaps this time, with all the other changes in place, the enforcement will remain enthusiastic for more than a month.

But Campbell's recommendations include: Zero tolerance on obstruction away from the puck; a re-emphasis on slashing and cross-checking infractions; reduced tolerance on hooking and holding close to the crease; and a general increase in the teaching of the new approach to the players.

In that vein, the officials -- who will now work in established teams over much of the season -- will meet with the team captains and the coaches before each game.

The icing rule also will be changed. A number of hockey people had demanded no-touch icing in the hope of reducing injuries that seemed to be needless. Others said that the integrity of the game required a chase for the puck.

Campbell has come up with an alternative. Next season, there will be a race for the goal line, but a player doesn't have to touch the puck. The player who can first put his stick over the line will be designated as having touched the puck. Using that criterion, the linesmen will either call icing or wave it off.

To no ones surprise, the tag-up rule will be reintroduced even though some GMs, notably Glen Sather of the New York Rangers, remain opposed to it.

The rule allows play to continue even if a player has preceded the puck over the blue line. Instead of immediately whistling the play dead, linesmen will raise an arm to signal a delayed off-side.

The player or players who had entered the zone too early can come out over the blue line and "tag up", just as a baseball player must go back to the base and tag up if he wants to advance after a fly ball has been caught.

There are also some new rules governing the conduct of players, both on and off the ice.

The current instigator rule will be unchanged, with one exception. If a player gets an instigator penalty in the final five minutes of regulation time, he will be ejected and suspended for a game. His coach will be fined $10,000 US and if the league finds out that the team paid the fine (fat chance) the team will be fined $100,000. Each subsequent infraction in a season earns a doubling of the previous penalty.

Diving also is to be discouraged and it is the members of the league's hockey operations office who have the advantage of video replays, not necessarily the referee, who will determine whether an infraction has occurred.

The first incident earns a written warning. The second instance calls for a $1,000 fine and puts the player's name on a list that is to be circulated throughout the league. A third infraction calls for a $2,000 fine and further public notification.

If a player is foolish enough to get caught four times, he is suspended for a game with no right of appeal.

As for players who make derogatory comments about the game or the officials or their decisions, fines will be in order. Their magnitude is still to be determined as part of the ongoing negotiations over the collective bargaining agreement.

Two other oft-proposed changes to inhibit the game-slowing tactics of the defensively minded coaches are to be introduced.

A player who shoots the puck into the stands from his own defensive zone will receive a two-minute delay-of-game penalty. This rule has long applied to goalies so it only makes sense to apply it to the rest of the team.

Also, a team which ices the puck will not be allowed to make a personnel change.

In the past, coaches have told their players that if they're tired and under pressure, simply fire the puck down the ice.

Now, those tired players will have to stay on the ice while the other coach is allowed to send out fresh troops and get a matchup that is to his liking.

These changes form a comprehensive reformation of the game and should allow the coaches to create an entertaining spectacle.

But will they do it or will they continue to find ways around it?

We'll find out next season.

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LONGER PLAYOFFS

- 10 teams from each conference would qualify.

- The four teams seeded 7th to 10th in each conference would play a best-of-three round to be completed within six days of the end of the regular season.

- The two winners from each conference would then join the 12 other post-season qualifiers to create the current 16-team playoff.

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RULE CHANGES

Other major changes proposed:

- A three-minute, three-on-three period of overtime added in the regular season if the five-minute, four-on-four period doesn't produce a winner.

- If a game is still tied, a shootout involving three players from each team will take place until a winner is determined.

- There will be no ties. Winners get two points, losers none.

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regards

minir

[waferdog]

I like some of the changes and dislike some of the others.

I do like that there will be no ties. Ties never made sense to me in sports. What's the point of competing if no one wins? I understand that one of the main reasons that they have ties is so that games do not go on forever and cause teams to miss travel accomodations to the next city. But they'll figure it out.

I don't like shootouts being used as a deciding factor. Let the teams play until someone scores. You will have an occasional 4 OT game, but not that often.

I don't like the new playoff structure. What's the point? Money. But they are taking away the drama of the end of the season games where a team is fighting to get the 8th seed in their conference.

I do like that they are attempting to open up the game. Bring back the early '80s style of play and the fans will show up.

[mountainman]

Whatever it takes to get back on the ice, IMHO.

I don't care if they have to play extra games or have another part to the game or whatever. I missed hockey this past season since they put so much freakin basketball on TV.

[minir]

Hi waferdog & mountainman


waferdog
I will disagree with the Tie situation. Sometimes both Teams give all they have and it ends in a Tie. No shame in that, quite to the contrary imho. Like two Boxers having a good fight and ones a Puncher while the other is a pure Boxer. Over 10 Rounds they both use their talents to the maximum and the Judges see that neither had a clear cut advantage even though they both had their moments. Anything other than a Draw would be denying what took place.

Overtime is not only a Timing situation, but also it takes a lot out of the Players themselves and that takes a toll in a long Season. Injuries become a factor when Players are tired and pushed beyond their capacity too often.

I agree, Shootouts to me are Amateur League stuff. See reasons above.

I like the Tag Up Rule and the re-sizing of Goalie Equipment (it has gotten to be ridiculous and had nothing to do with the Goalies safety). The Nets being moved back is also a positive step imho. You won't have Guys in Great Ones Office anymore. The Defence will no nail them to the boards much easier. Also the Diving should be cause for Fines for both Player and Coach. Hit the Coach hard and the Players will soon be stopped.

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mountainman
I missed Hockey as well mountainman, but i certainly do not want to watch a Brand New Game intent on increasing Goals at the cost of traditional play.

Lets be honest, the main problem has been the use of the Trap! All other problems were secondary imho.

Use the Fine system on any Team employing any form of the Trap and Fine the Coach heavily. Coaches are the ones who instigate the Trap, not Players. Any Hockey Player will tell you they would rather play a wide open Game than be forced into playing the Trap a boring, energy sucking excuse for Teams of lesser skill to try to win Games.

All Owners, Coaches, Players and Divisions should be advised before the start of the Season as to the Penalties that will be assessed for the use of the Trap and have it Called from Day One. Scoring will go up automatically, the Spectators will see a more exciting brand of Hockey and the Players themselves will be much happier in doing so.

Now that there will be a Cap, Teams have no excuses to not field the best Team they can and still be profitable imho.

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Just my opinion Fellas and i do appreciate Yours

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Keep Your Heads Up & Your Sticks on the Ice

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regards

minir

[tao_jones]

Adding the extra teams is wise fiscally speaking. The gates make more money so teams can afford to stay near the ceiling instead of staying towards the floor.

[minir]

Hi tao_jones


imho it is simply a chance to suck more Dollars out of the Fans Pockets and into the laps of the Owners and Players.

What incentives are there to finish at or close to the Top now. Why waste the energy over the Season if you can now simply skate in at the end and then go for the Gold.

It is a lowering of the Standards imho and does little to enhance the Game. Hell might as well forget the Regular Season and allow everyone one last chance at the End.

I fear I'm Old School and dislike change simply for the sake of change. There is nothing that the elimination of the Trap will not cure.

This has been an exercise wherein the Lowest of the Low in Team support has Wagged the Tail of the more successful Teams in the League, to pander for handouts to Teams that are in undesirable markets and those less Talented as well. It will hurt the Game at a time they need all the committed support they can garner.

If they start to lose the Canadian Fan base they are indeed in great difficulty imho.

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Thanks tao_jones, i really appreciate your comments

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regards

minir

[mountainman]

What incentives are there to finish at or close to the Top now.

Pride?

It should be enough as that's probably what drove ALL the players when they played their first hockey game as a 5 year old. Humans just want to WIN. (Of course they want money now too, but that's a darn good reason to want to win.)

[Spammy]

Pride?

It should be enough as that's probably what drove ALL the players when they played their first hockey game as a 5 year old. Humans just want to WIN. (Of course they want money now too, but that's a darn good reason to want to win.)

Not to mention, The more you win the more you make

[mountainman]

Not to mention, The more you win the more you make

And the more you make, the more girls you get.

So: winning = more girls.

So, what's the problem, Minir???

[Spammy]

And the more you make, the more girls you get.

So: winning = more girls.

So, what's the problem, Minir???

[minir]

Pride?

It should be enough as that's probably what drove ALL the players when they played their first hockey game as a 5 year old. Humans just want to WIN. (Of course they want money now too, but that's a darn good reason to want to win.)

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Hi mountainman

I agree Pride is a part of any sport, however it will and can be tempered by the knowledge that winning at all cost really isn't necessary in this situation. Coaches will soon sense that an all out assault depending on their standing may perhaps be unnecessary and rest Key Players in certain situations. The pressure for good Teams will no longer be there or at least dramatically lessened imho. This is Pro Sports and all advantages are taken seriously and used accordingly.

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Spammy

Not to mention, The more you win the more you make

Not really Spammy as the Players are actually playing for nothing come Playoff time. Its the Owners who ultimately benefit.

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Thanks Fellas and have a lovely day

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regards

minir

[minir]

Hi Spammy & mountainman

So: winning = more girls.

Not in today's Society. One need but look at some of the worlds Biggest Losers and see delightful Ladies arm and arm with Them.

I give you Ben Affleck for an example

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regards

minir

[tao_jones]

imho it is simply a chance to suck more Dollars out of the Fans Pockets and into the laps of the Owners and Players.
What incentives are there to finish at or close to the Top now. Why waste the energy over the Season if you can now simply skate in at the end and then go for the Gold.It is a lowering of the Standards imho and does little to enhance the Game. Hell might as well forget the Regular Season and allow everyone one last chance at the End.I fear I'm Old School and dislike change simply for the sake of change. There is nothing that the elimination of the Trap will not cure.This has been an exercise wherein the Lowest of the Low in Team support has Wagged the Tail of the more successful Teams in the League, to pander for handouts to Teams that are in undesirable markets and those less Talented as well. It will hurt the Game at a time they need all the committed support they can garner.If they start to lose the Canadian Fan base they are indeed in great difficulty imho.

My view on it is that the more teams that are in the playoffs the more the fans will watch also the more battleing for home ice advantage (the real reason to come in first)...rooting for their team...now if they want or dont want to go and watch in person is up to them it is their $$$...i also think that the game needs higher scoring to get more of the non-tradtional fans into the game.

[minir]

Hi tao_jones

No question about Home Ice, but it is not nearly as critical as some would believe in today's Game. As to more Fans, in many cases they are having difficulty enough trying to draw a crowd to start with in many of these Franchises. Doubtful more Games will help that issue imho. The Season should be shortened by 10 Games imho to give the Athletes a chance to recover after Games. There are too many injuries as is with the lengthy schedule they now endure.

As to higher scoring, it is the Trap and the over-sized Goalie Equipment that has a lot to do with this. That now is finally being addressed and about time may i add. Roy had taken it to ridiculous levels and yet no one stepped in to say enough is enough. Also bear in mind that Goalies now have Goalie Coaches from Peewee up and with the advent of Instant Replay and Tape they are able to refine their style and positioning like never before. It is a Technical position now and they are very much on top of this. This along with improved, lighter equipment has given a definite advantage to Goalies over the past few years.

The Game is unfortunately a niche Sport and trying to bring in the Masses in N. America is simply not in the cards imho. Too many other sports vying for the consumers dollar and due to climate etc there are places where it will never catch on.

There is no need for higher scoring imho if people would simply learn the Game. I for one will tune out if it starts going too far in that direction. Defense is as much a part of hockey as Offence and to me there is nothing more exciting than a 0...0 Game or a 1 to nothing tilt.

Five nothing games are generally a bore, as one Team obviously has too much of an advantage over the other to make for an interesting match.

Just my opinion as always & pleased to share yours as well

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Thanks and have a good one.

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regards

minir

[minir]

Hi to All


It appears Wayne Gretzky has been made Coach of Phoenix

That in itself will be a boon to Hockey.

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regards

minir

[Spammy]

Rules Schmules