NHL Approves Rule Changes on Faceoffs, Icing

by JDMaker1 on Jun 19, 2008 9:31 AM EDT

The NHL approved a new changing in the rules that will definitely effect the method of play. Faster power-play goals may be on the way.

TSN Article: 06/18/2008

Summary: Three rule changes.

(1). First face-off of a powerplay will always be in the offenseive zone. (Rule 76.2)

(2). If a puck is shot and hits off a crossbar/post and goes out of play the face-off will remain in the offensive zone. (Rule 85.5)

(3). "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. Unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player." (Rule 81.1)

- In my opinion I don't like the faceoff rule changes, especially the change to Rule 85.5 that keeps the face off in the zone after a puck hits the crossbar/post. I actually like the change to Rule 81.1 because people interfere with each other all the time on the way to get loose pucks. Changing 81.1 seems to make since with the other interference changes post-lockout.

The content expressed in fanposts does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff here at Pensburgh.com. FanPosts are opinions expressed by fans of various teams throughout the league but may be more Pittsburgh-centric for obvious reasons.

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Wow – these changes are going to be huge. This is just a way for them to keep pushing for more goals in a power-offense, post-lockout league. I guess if they couldn’t make the pads smaller, they’d at least make the goalies sweat it out a bit more with probably twice as many face-offs in their end.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jun 19, 2008 10:05 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah. A lot less faceoffs in the neutral zone. Basically only for offsides now.

by JDMaker1 on Jun 19, 2008 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

P.S: It kinda looks like I’m giving myself props there . . . not that I don’t do that from time to time.

by JDMaker1 on Jun 19, 2008 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

haha my bad. Well I typed that to put it on the front page, but didn’t want to bump the Conklin one down just yet. I’ll probably promote it around 2/3ish.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jun 19, 2008 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Wider goals! That’s what we need to go with this! Wider goals! We need NBA-style scores to peak interest in hockey!

I’m sorry, but I would grow very bored if every hockey score ended up 10-7. Goals are a big deal in hockey – it’s hard to get one and very exciting when it happens. Why would anyone want to lessen that excitement by making it easier to score? I don’t want NBA-ish scores in hockey. I’ll take defense over one player getting ridiculous numbers every game, thanks.

But I do like the icing rule change.

Bring hockey back to Louisville!

by JDunman on Jun 19, 2008 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

yeah I really don’t understand why hockey insists that it would be a more widely accepted sport if they scored more. I agree – it’s all about the joys of that goal. The exploding crowd and the players going crazy. That’s really what makes the game. Sometimes you have it 3, 4, maybe 5 times a game and then other times you might have it only once in 1-0 shutout. But even in the case of those shutouts you get a display of a goaltender standing on his head to keep his team alive. But I guess they feel people pay for action…

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jun 19, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

How many amazing nail-biters would you get like Game 5’s triple OT if it were easier to score? There was a ton of action in that game!

What gets me is when so-called professionals of hockey journalism clamour for this. How could someone who appreciates the sport want such a thing?

Bring hockey back to Louisville!

by JDunman on Jun 19, 2008 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I have to agree with you. I’m not sure why the NHL feels like it needs mroe scoring. You have to assume that the NHL did a survey of “potential fans” (as opposed to actual fans) where they said there wasn’t enough scoring.

IMO, the NHL is nothing like soccer. In soccer the teams always play 1-0 games and there is more passing than shooting (also no hitting). . . . and that isn’t exciting to me. Contrast that to the NHL where there is rubber flying all over the place, it’s fast paced, and there is a lot of excitement surrouding the “almost goals.” There is no reason why there needs to be 10 goals in a game, it’s upsurd.

by JDMaker1 on Jun 19, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions