More rules changes

[Chadd 916]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=txru...t&type=lgns

Icing:

A change to Rule 81.1 states that “any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating the opponent from playing the puck.” The amended rule further states that “unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player.”

Faceoffs:

In addition, a change to Rule 85.5 provides that if a puck is shot off the goal frame, goal post or crossbar, the subsequent faceoff will remain in the end zone where the puck went out of play.

[Rustpot 1]

Pretty decent changes. I'm glad they're looking out for players' health with the icing rule. A subtle change to increase offensive-zone faceoffs in line with the league's "more scoring" mantra.

How can a team on attack loose the offensive zone for a faceoff now? Rattle if off the glass on dump-ins and deflections is all?

[the_sock 1]

I do like some of the changes, like the face off in the zone of the penalized team and the puck off the posts/crossbar, but I still believe that the league should still institute automatic icing. 81.1 is still a bit vague, and puts the decision of the "contact" in the ref's eyes, "I didn't mean to contact him into the boards and break his neck, I was going for the puck".

I do like Burke's idea of limiting penalties to one minute in the overtime.

[Cheesehead 0]

I do like Burke's idea of limiting penalties to one minute in the overtime.

If you think about it from a mathematical point of view, penalties in overtime should really only be 30 seconds. An overtime period is 1/4th the length of a regular period. Why not make the penalties 1/4 the size of regular penalties? This would make a 30 second power-play.

I think that would be too short for a power play. I would say 45 seconds to 1 minute would be a good amount.

[chef_ducky 0]

I like Burke's 1 minute penalties aswell. Makes More sense

[Smitty34 0]

I'm glad that they're looking at these changes. I like the rule change to rule 85.5 about the faceoff zone and puck out of play off the post, but I really wish they would change icing to no-touch icing. I'm not saying icing is an insignificant play, but I don't think its worth the possibility of guys getting seriously injured in a close race to toward the boards.

[haiko17 0]

talking about rule changes, I think it's about time they got rid of the delay of game penalty when the defending team shoots the puck out of play...... or at least give it a judgement call. usually it's pretty obvious the guy didn't mean to do it. it's gonna cost big games and maybe even a stanley cup series/game very soon.

[Michael9 57]

talking about rule changes, I think it's about time they got rid of the delay of game penalty when the defending team shoots the puck out of play...... or at least give it a judgement call. usually it's pretty obvious the guy didn't mean to do it. it's gonna cost big games and maybe even a stanley cup series/game very soon.

It already has cost a team an important game: Candada v.s. Russia World Championship final. IMO, the shooting the puck out of play in your defensive zone should be treated like an icing, faceoff inside and no change for the the defensive team.

[the_sock 1]

Exactly, that call was not needed and gave away the game to the Russians, although Kovlachuk (sp?) did make an amazing shot. Plus the Russians wanted it more.

Anyhoo...a faceoff in the defensive zone for a puck out of play is more than enough

[Chadd 916]

talking about rule changes, I think it's about time they got rid of the delay of game penalty when the defending team shoots the puck out of play...... or at least give it a judgement call. usually it's pretty obvious the guy didn't mean to do it. it's gonna cost big games and maybe even a stanley cup series/game very soon.

It always was a judgement call and refs were not calling penalties when players obviously put the puck over the glass intentionally. If you want to blame someone, blame the refs who screwed up the game in the first place.

[Smitty34 0]

My understanding of shooting the puck out of play is that it is not a judgement call. After watching this get called and listening to announcers whine about changing this to a discretion call (as I have), I thought that the refs were supposed to make the call, despite the player's intent. I agree with treating shooting the puck out of play like icing.

[Chadd 916]

My understanding of shooting the puck out of play is that it is not a judgement call. After watching this get called and listening to announcers whine about changing this to a discretion call (as I have), I thought that the refs were supposed to make the call, despite the player's intent. I agree with treating shooting the puck out of play like icing.

It was recently changed to not be a judgement call, prior to that it was up to the refs to decide if it was intentional. I just assume everyone has been watching the NHL for more than a year or two.

[Smitty34 0]

Oh, I hadn't heard about that. Thanks for clarifying.