AHL rule changes for upcoming season

[chippa13 1844]

An interesting tweak to OT where it will be 7 minutes, starting at 4-4 and switching to 3-3 at the first whistle after 3 minutes elapsed in OT. They are also making 2 majors for fighting an automatic game misconduct, shortening it from 3. It will still be 3 majors for an ejection if not fights.

On the safety side, players who lose their helmets cannot continue playing without the helmet. They must either change up or replace their helmet with chin strap buckled to reenter play.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=456890

[bunnyman666 445]

I have never understood the whole super-loose helmet wearing thing. I saw a guy in pick up not all that long ago that didn't have straps on his helmet and ended up with a nasty fat lip because a shoulder knocked his lid off. Silly silly.

[Stewie 721]

I have never understood the whole super-loose helmet wearing thing. I saw a guy in pick up not all that long ago that didn't have straps on his helmet and ended up with a nasty fat lip because a shoulder knocked his lid off. Silly silly.

most of the guys in the NHL/AHL only wear visors, so not much of the lip is protected anyways.

[goblue9280 33]

Point is a loose chin strap is just as silly with a full cage as it is with a visor/no visor.

The loose chinstrap concern in the AHL/NHL has more to do with the primary impact shifting the bucket and leaving the player vulnerable as their head makes secondary contact with the ice/boards/another player.

most of the guys in the NHL/AHL only wear visors, so not much of the lip is protected anyways.

[bunnyman666 445]

Point is a loose chin strap is just as silly with a full cage as it is with a visor/no visor.

The loose chinstrap concern in the AHL/NHL has more to do with the primary impact shifting the bucket and leaving the player vulnerable as their head makes secondary contact with the ice/boards/another player.

I have seen the loose chin strap jerk a player's head backwards. Scary, scary stuff.

If you're in the big show, rarely is anything more than a visor worn, I realise. But the loose chin straps are just trouble begging to be had.

[Stewie 721]

im in agreement. I am just pointing out that, in that scenario, either way hes likely getting a fat lip, no matter what. I fully understand the importance of properly wearing your protective equipment, and I myself even maybe err on the side of too tight. Its good that the AHL is taking a hard lined stance on this issue, as obviously its not going to be well accepted by a good chunk of the players.

Point is a loose chin strap is just as silly with a full cage as it is with a visor/no visor.

The loose chinstrap concern in the AHL/NHL has more to do with the primary impact shifting the bucket and leaving the player vulnerable as their head makes secondary contact with the ice/boards/another player.

[goblue9280 33]

Agreed... and you know the players complaining about the rule will be among the first to sue the AHL/NHL for not doing enough to prevent concussions.

Its good that the AHL is taking a hard lined stance on this issue, as obviously its not going to be well accepted by a good chunk of the players.

[IPv6Freely 2082]

What, are you guys suggesting that wearing your chin strap like this is ineffective?

[bunnyman666 445]

What, are you guys suggesting that wearing your chin strap like this is ineffective?

Gilmour is my idol!!!!!

However, that chin strap is of zero use like that.

[Chadd 916]

Gilmour is my idol!!!!!

However, that chin strap is of zero use like that.

I don't know about that, it's a lot easier to pick up off the ice with the blade of your stick when it hangs low like that

[bunnyman666 445]

I don't know about that, it's a lot easier to pick up off the ice with the blade of your stick when it hangs low like that

lol

Also, with the helmet removal for fights rule, it makes a fight easier to facilitate.

[MatthewRoach7 130]

I am interested to see how the OT change will play out. Not sure how i feel about it yet. It will be strange to have a whistle and see each team loose a guy for "no reason". I think the helmet change is a good change. As far as the fighting I guess we won't be seeing any good rematch fights in the same game.

[roar111 1]

Interesting. Does the OT rule change maybe have something to do with the NHL trying out in the AHL to see how it works? Also I wonder what penalties would then mean in 3-on-3 OT (automatic penalty shot? )

[chippa13 1844]

They would play 4 on 3 and then 4 on 4 until the first whistle after the penalty expires. If there is less than 2 minutes remaining in OT then a penalty shot could be awarded, depending on the infraction.

Edit: And, yes, the AHL usually is the testing ground for NHL rule changes.

[RadioGaGa 162]

I believe they are also cutting the SO down to 3 shooters from 5.

[AFrozenPond 1]

What, are you guys suggesting that wearing your chin strap like this is ineffective?

That's a fuckin' hockey player right there!

[ChrisLGR20 2]

I wish a rule about straps/helmets was in place years ago. It'll make helmets not fly off like in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ2qPecBdqc

We'd probably still have this blossoming young defenseman too.

[Chadd 916]

I wish a rule about straps/helmets was in place years ago. It'll make helmets not fly off like in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ2qPecBdqc

We'd probably still have this blossoming young defenseman too.

The strap wasn't dangling, the contact to the head was so violent that it unsnapped the strap.

[wrangler 157]

I guess 4-on-4 wasn't different enough from real hockey.

[chippa13 1844]

Probably what they said when they went from 6 skaters to 5.

[wrangler 157]

You must go back further than I do.

[Larry54 243]

Probably what they said when they went from 6 skaters to 5.

That must be in the days when it took 9 balls to walk a batter.

[Jason Harris 31]

I believe they are also cutting the SO down to 3 shooters from 5.

You must have been watching the World Cup last week, because they have five shooters there. The NHL has always been three, then one by one.

[RadioGaGa 162]

NHL is 3...but AHL has been 5. They are reducing to 3 this season.