NHL GMs and coaches trying new rules

[ktang 34]

The proposed rule changes have been discussed here before, and now they are being tried out.

"Sinden" Rule changes

This goes beyond taking out the red line or widening the blue lines.

I think shrinking the goalie equipment would make a big difference.

[sherwood21 0]

I think calling the game the way it is meant to be played, regardless of how many jobs it eliminates, is the way to go.

Dangling >> Clutch and Grab any day of the week.

[Chadd 916]

I don't like removing the lines entirely and putting in new, smaller lines. This isn't roller hockey and it's too much of a change. Why not take a small step and just allow two line passes and see how that works?

Do you really want the intermissions to take as long as the periods? 21 minutes to play a 15 minute period is faster than the youth or adult games I ref and we don't call two line passes, and some of us don't call icing either.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Do you really want the intermissions to take as long as the periods? 21 minutes to play a 15 minute period is faster than the youth or adult games I ref and we don't call two line passes, and some of us don't call icing either.

This seems to me to be kind of like the Bowman Blueline. Although, in his system, the red and Blue lines are still physically there.

Chadd, as far as what you said. I agree....I have no problem with ideas that "speed up" the game (ie: letting speed/skilled players show off their skill) but...there is no reason to make the game go by faster.

If I'm paying $70-100/ticket, I want a decent nights entertainment...I don't want to be out in and out in an hour and a half...I have no problem with 2.5 hours (or hell, even 3) at the rink watching good hockey. they key being GOOD HOCKEY

Just me...?

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

It's extremely SIMPLE. APPLY THE RULES PERFECTLY even if there is 30-40 penalties in the first couple of games, it will decrease with time.

[ktang 34]

I'm hoping that shrinking the goalie equipment would make it easier enough to score so that more teams would be rewarded by playing offensively and taking more chances (e.g. Ds joining the rush). If the goalies had to challenge the shooters more that might open up more opportunities for 1-timers or late trailers.

But, something still needs to be done about the trap. Tag-up would help the flow a little. The other rule changes are pretty radical, so they should try them in other leagues (e.g. AHL) first to tweak the rules and let coaches devise strategies.

Enforcing the existing obstruction rules hasn't lasted entire seasons in the past, but if the GMs and coaches buy into the need for it this time it will work.

At least they agree on the need for more excitement / flow in the game.

[Chadd 916]

Enforcing the existing obstruction rules hasn't lasted entire seasons in the past, but if the GMs and coaches buy into the need for it this time it will work.

Simple solution there is to fine the living hell out of them for complaining about enforcement of obstruction or interference. They may not be happy but it will keep their mouth shut long enough for everyone to adapt.

[Hipster 5]

I say keep the lines the way they are, just increase the ice surface to Olympic Size. You'll see the skaters, creators, danglers and dealers take charge.

If a guy wants to clutch and grab on an olympic size sheet, there's going to be a big price to pay if the guy has space to torch him.

The goalie pads do need to shrink though.

[Bruin88 0]

i think they should just play. no lines or off sides or icings or anything ,just penaltys. it would be funner to watch and funner to play.

[rausch27 1]

http://tsn.ca/audio_video/

the video is on there , you can watch if your registered with TSN

they show you the rink without the blue lines.......its looks funny

the faster the game gets, the less big defenseman we'll see, and im not for that

i say keep the game how it is excpet lose the red line and decrease goalie pad size

[Jason Harris 31]

i think they should just play. no lines or off sides or icings or anything ,just penaltys. it would be funner to watch and funner to play.

I read an interview with Sinden in this past Sunday's Boston Globe: Sinden article

Apparantly they're toying with a no offsides concept. As I understand it, there will still be blue lines for icing and clearing the zone, but once the puck is past the blue line, he said you can pass all the way down to the goalie. Not only that, but they would move the blue lines in twenty feet, so it would theoretically leave about 160 feet that you don't have to worry about offsides, two-lines or icing (I think).

It's intriguing, which is exactly what Sinden said. He said people were intrigued enough that no one flat out said "No!" He said they're trying to figure ways of countering the trap and this could be one. It would obviously mess up historical statistics, however.

[Chadd 916]

i think they should just play. no lines or off sides or icings or anything ,just penaltys. it would be funner to watch and funner to play.

I read an interview with Sinden in this past Sunday's Boston Globe: Sinden article

Apparantly they're toying with a no offsides concept. As I understand it, there will still be blue lines for icing and clearing the zone, but once the puck is past the blue line, he said you can pass all the way down to the goalie. Not only that, but they would move the blue lines in twenty feet, so it would theoretically leave about 160 feet that you don't have to worry about offsides, two-lines or icing (I think).

It's intriguing, which is exactly what Sinden said. He said people were intrigued enough that no one flat out said "No!" He said they're trying to figure ways of countering the trap and this could be one. It would obviously mess up historical statistics, however.

I'll be the first one to say NO. Making it easier to ice the puck isn't an improvement to the game and most of what they want to achieve with the new lines could be done by simply allowing the two line pass across the redline.

[Jason Harris 31]

I'll be the first one to say NO. Making it easier to ice the puck isn't an improvement to the game and most of what they want to achieve with the new lines could be done by simply allowing the two line pass across the redline.

I'm not positive whether icing would change.

I tried scanning the article and it doesn't mention it either way. It could be that the center line would remain for icing, but the two-line pass would be taken away -- and possibly increased by moving the blue lines closer to the goalies. (Actually, when I reread the article, I couldn't tell if there'd be smaller defensive zones by moving the blue lines in, or whether there'd be additional passing lines drawn into the defensive zones. It might be the latter.)

[lee92 2]

i think the oval nets is a terrible idea, as well as the removal of the blue lines. i think the red line is a must-go, and i'd like to the see the idea of a floating blue line, where once you cross the blue line, you have possesion out to the center line

[ktang 34]

I think these far-out concepts are not for the near future. Otherwise all the NHL players would be confused for the Olympics and World Championships (or anything else run by the IIHF).

But, publicizing these experiments is a good way for the NHL to get some much-needed positive exposure and publicity. The timing of it is probably also meant to influence the sponsors for the upcoming season, showing them that the product on the ice will be more entertaining than in the past.

Who knows, if they had done something a few years ago (e.g. calling obstruction properly for a whole season), maybe Hull would not have gone public with his not wanting to watch an NHL game because they are so boring, maybe the NHL could have built up more fans, maybe the NHL could have landed a major TV deal, and maybe the previous CBA would have been acceptable to the owners and could have been extended.

[A_Steeves12 0]

i hate the idea of making the nets bigger. they look so stupid. they need to make the goalies pad smaller first then see about nets.

i dont see how they can play without the bluelines. they need to take out the red line.

[Karly14 21]

the shootout is a good start. I think the NHL needs to make some changes to the game in order to reintroduce and advertise it as a fresh product to the public, espcially in the states. Hopefully they can do it and maintain the integrity of the sport. the last thing we need on our hands is an xhl

[ktang 34]

i hate the idea of making the nets bigger. they look so stupid. they need to make the goalies pad smaller first then see about nets.

i dont see how they can play without the bluelines. they need to take out the red line.

To quote Don Taylor, the bigger nets look like Bobby Orr's legs.

[jeffw 1]

Some video from the R&D camp

LINK

[Cavs019 708]

Bigger nets wont do anything. The skill players can torch any goalie on a 4x6 net. The problem is the opportunities just aren't there as a result of clutching/grabbing.