Nhl Rule Changes

[spankingman]

According to Yahoo Sports News Once again the "suits" at the NHL Offices are considering tinkering with the size of the nets. They want to see more goals scored to satisfy the US fan base.

I guess a tightly played 1-0 or 2-1 game with great goal tending is not "exciting" to wach south of the 49th.

Sorry I screwed up NHL on the banner ,been a long day!!!

 

[popodaki]

I'm usually a traditionalist when it comes to sports and rule changes, particularly with hockey, but I wouldn't be against the idea.

If the NHL isn't serious about cracking down on the size of goaltending equipment, then this is a logical alternative. I think it would make the games more exciting. Goaltenders would have to use a lot more skill and athletic ability to stop pucks rather than just relying on size to cover up the net.

I know the NHL is testing new nets that have a different design to them. The goal pipes they are testing are oval in shape as opposed to being round. The idea is that pucks that hit the post will now funnel into the net.

 

[Toronto Passions]

I know the NHL is testing new nets that have a different design to them. The goal pipes they are testing are oval in shape as opposed to being round. The idea is that pucks that hit the post will now funnel into the net.

For me, one of the most exciting moments in any sport, is that knot in the pit of your stomach when a it's a tie game and you hear that PING off the post or crossbar with seconds remaining.

 

[lawyerman]

I think the league should look at changing some of the other rules instead such as the instigator rule and no-touch icing for starters.

 

[lawyerman]

Hear hear, lawyerman.
Go back to giving five minutes and a game misconduct for drawing blood on a high-stick, while we're at it.
And SERIOUSLY increased suspensions for injuring players with blows to the head, hitting from behind, and stick infractions. Like, ten times as much as they give now. I'd be very in favour of suspending players for the duration of an injury inflicted on illegal plays, at a minimum.

I completely agree with you AF.

 

[Bounce]

This is simple - go back to calling the game like it was in the mid80's-90's and tells the goalie to lose the "fortknox equipment" - it's ridiculous. No one will get hurt. The only reason for bigger equipment is it get's them more more money. F-in gutless pussies are what goalies are!!!

Big Goalie Equipment = Less Goals = Lower Goals Against Avg. = High Save % = probability of more wins = MORE $$$$$$ for the goalie and AGENTS!!!!
Rk Player Team PTS Year

This is the main reason the NHL, Gary Bettman, the players (goalies) and agents have made me despise hockey. I miss the 70's,80's, 90's. When was the last time we had a good scoring race/leader? Take a look at the past.

1 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 215 1985-86
2 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 212 1981-82
3 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 208 1984-85
4 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 205 1983-84
5 Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh Penguins 199 1988-89
6 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 196 1982-83
7 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 183 1986-87
T8 Wayne Gretzky Los Angeles Kings 168 1988-89
T8 Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh Penguins 168 1987-88
10 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 164 1980-81
11 Wayne Gretzky Los Angeles Kings 163 1990-91
12 Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh Penguins 161 1995-96
13 Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh Penguins 160 1992-93
14 Steve Yzerman Detroit Red Wings 155 1988-89
15 Phil Esposito Boston Bruins 152 1970-71
16 Bernie Nicholls Los Angeles Kings 150 1988-89
T17 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 149 1987-88
T17 Jaromir Jagr Pittsburgh Penguins 149 1995-96
19 Pat LaFontaine Buffalo Sabres 148 1992-93
20 Mike Bossy New York Islanders 147 1981-82
21 Phil Esposito Boston Bruins 145 1973-74
T22 Adam Oates Boston Bruins 142 1992-93
T22 Wayne Gretzky Los Angeles Kings 142 1989-90
24 Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh Penguins 141 1985-86
T25 Bobby Orr Boston Bruins 139 1970-71
T25 Peter Stastny Quebec Nordiques 139 1981-82
27 Paul Coffey Edmonton Oilers 138 1985-86
T28 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers 137 1979-80
T28 Marcel Dionne Los Angeles Kings 137 1979-80
T28 Steve Yzerman Detroit Red Wings 137 1992-93
T31 Dennis Maruk Washington Capitals 136 1981-82
T31 Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadiens 136 1976-77
T33 Marcel Dionne Los Angeles Kings 135 1980-81
T33 Bobby Orr Boston Bruins 135 1974-75
T33 Jari Kurri Edmonton Oilers 135 1984-85
36 Bryan Trottier New York Islanders 134 1978-79
37 Phil Esposito Boston Bruins 133 1971-72
T38 Teemu Selanne Winnipeg Jets 132 1992-93
T38 Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadiens 132 1977-78
T38 Pierre Turgeon New York Islanders 132 1992-93
T41 Kent Nilsson Calgary Flames 131 1980-81
T41 Jari Kurri Edmonton Oilers 131 1985-86
T41 Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh Penguins 131 1991-92
T41 Brett Hull St. Louis Blues 131 1990-91
T41 Denis Savard Chicago Blackhawks 131 1987-88
T46 Dale Hawerchuk Winnipeg Jets 130 1984-85
T46 Wayne Gretzky Los Angeles Kings 130 1993-94
T46 Phil Esposito Boston Bruins 130 1972-73
T46 Marcel Dionne Los Angeles Kings 130 1978-79
T50 Bryan Trottier New York Islanders 129 1981-82
T50 Mark Messier Edmonton Oilers 129 1989-90
T50 Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadiens 129 1978-79
T53 Alexander Mogilny Buffalo Sabres 127 1992-93
T53 Steve Yzerman Detroit Red Wings 127 1989-90
T53 Phil Esposito Boston Bruins 127 1974-75
T53 Jaromir Jagr Pittsburgh Penguins 127 1998-99
T53 Doug Gilmour Toronto Maple Leafs 127 1992-93
T58 Paul Coffey Edmonton Oilers 126 1983-84
T58 Marcel Dionne Los Angeles Kings 126 1984-85
T58 Phil Esposito Boston Bruins 126 1968-69
T58 Mike Bossy New York Islanders 126 1978-79
T62 Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadiens 125 1979-80
T62 Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadiens 125 1975-76
T62 Joe Thornton Boston and San Jose 125 2005-06
T62 Luc Robitaille Los Angeles Kings 125 1992-93

 

[buckwheat1]

No touch icing is great and speeds up teh game I see it all the time in the OHL. They are thinking of changing the net post style they'll be oval like insted of round so it puck hits the post better chance of going into the net.

 

[Bounce]

What was wrong with the game in the 80's? Bring it back.

 

[Bounce]

No problem - that's why I rarely watch NHL anymore - cancel Leaf TV - do not go games anymore - Buf/Tor. My friends and I used to go all the time. We would even go down to Florida a few times a year for fun and get tickets to the Lightning or Panthers games.

I really find the NHL incredibly boring now and don't understand why Bettman still has a job?

 

[Tiffany_69]

For me, one of the most exciting moments in any sport, is that knot in the pit of your stomach when a it's a tie game and you hear that PING off the post or crossbar with seconds remaining.

Yes that "PING" can make your day or break your heart.


Well world juniors are great. I went to the Canada /USA game. Along with catching an exhibition game here in the Hammer. I am really looing forward to Olympics next yr. I was not a fan in 80's only a kid. Became a huge fan around Y2k. Now am I to understand a clutching, holding, grabbing game with a red line was more exciting. By the 90s players had to be line backer size to make it. NHL rocks. Of course the past couple decades as a Leaf fan turn anyone off the game.

 

[modprod]

Not sure I agree that more goals will increase US fan base. That is the assumed reason why we yankees don't pay much attention to hockey. I'll bet the NHL has market research to support that idea, but I think it there are more reasons for our lack of interest. There has been a steady migration south out of the industrial rust belt states. Away from the traditonal hockey fan base, now youth are 1 or 2 generations removed. The kids don't know and don't care. Plus the more southern cities just don't have as many ice sheets. The rise of the "gangsta" culture of MTV generation has brought NBA and NFL to the front. The most elemental reason is that the US is wayyyyyy too ego centric, unlike basketball, baseball and football, hockey is viewed as a "foreign" sport....same with soccer. Increasing a fan base will take a lot time and require investing in youth programs, ice sheets etc. Will the NHL here in the lower 48 last that long?

 

[lawyerman]

It's too bad that the league has expanded so much that there are markets that currently have teams that really should not be there.

Nashville will buy some of their own tickets in order to potentially pick up their $12 million dollars from the league via revenue sharing.

I believe that everyone deserves a fair chance but enough is enough. Nashville needs to be removed from the league and put somewhere else.

I think the shootout should be removed. The best players on breakaways have the better chance of winning. That is crap. Hockey is a team game and I believe that they should change it back and only have the five minute overtime period and if it's a tie, it's a tie. At least the teams were on the ice and it was a legitimate tie.

 

[big dogie]

I too don't watch much anymore, looking back at old games so much has changed. There is no respect for the other players, I don't watch to see people hurt, I watch to see hockey. Impossible passes, great shots, unbelievable saves, plays that make your heart skip a beat, not running a deffenceman or boarding a guy that is trying to get a puck. Just bring the game back....


b d

 

[spankingman]

Nhl

To me US Hockey is strongest in the Northeast Midwest,basicly the States that have WINTER seasons. When my sons played AAA Rep etc we would compete against teams from these States. Can't recall ever playing against teams from Calif. Arizona,Georgia Fla,Tenn, etc

Some of the best teams came from Detroit, Chicago Long Island Buffalo.

The NHL has to realize and SOON that some of these US cities with teams are just not viable. I think if Gretzky wasn't in Phoenix right now they wouldnt have a team.

Bring the NHL BACK to Canada,Hamilton Winnpeg Quebec maybe even Halifax where the TRUE hockey fans are.!!!!!!!!

Unfortunatly most of the big money owners are in the US. That might not be the case anymore with the economy the way its going. If the owners who own teams as a "hobby" are losing too much money things MIGHT change.

 

[Bounce]

The NHL's research suck's ass.....

Not sure I agree that more goals will increase US fan base. That is the assumed reason why we yankees don't pay much attention to hockey. I'll bet the NHL has market research to support that idea, but I think it there are more reasons for our lack of interest. There has been a steady migration south out of the industrial rust belt states. Away from the traditonal hockey fan base, now youth are 1 or 2 generations removed. The kids don't know and don't care. Plus the more southern cities just don't have as many ice sheets. The rise of the "gangsta" culture of MTV generation has brought NBA and NFL to the front. The most elemental reason is that the US is wayyyyyy too ego centric, unlike basketball, baseball and football, hockey is viewed as a "foreign" sport....same with soccer. Increasing a fan base will take a lot time and require investing in youth programs, ice sheets etc. Will the NHL here in the lower 48 last that long?

More goals and exciting plays (more wide open) would be a start to bring me back. When will the NHL give up wake up and realize that Canadians are the "bread and butter $$$$$$ and only reason that the NHL is even possible - take Canadian support away and this sport dies within 3-5 years. Screw the idiotic plan to grow the game in the US! I can stand watching goalies hardly even moving to stop a slaphot. Miss the days when a winger (Bossy, Hull, etc) would fly down the wing a blow one by the Goalie. Now the wingers hardly even try b/c it's a low % scoring shot with all Goalies and there military protective equipment. It's retarded!!

 

[mmmburritos]

Rule Change....

Perhaps they should just make a rule stating that the Commissioner can't be Gary Bettman... That should pretty much fix the game.

Seriously though, there are two things they could do.

1. Eliminate the Goons. Make fighting a match penalty. That should pretty much stop the whole "sending a message" fighting.

2. No touch icing.

3. And I know this is not a rule but, the NHL needs to stop floating franchises that can't make it on their own (you hear me Phoenix, Nashville, Florida...) Less teams would equal more talent, and eliminate the prospect of having to ever watch a Carolina vs Anaheim final ever again..

 

[jackd1959]

I find it funny that the NHL players are pushing for an elimination of the instigator penalty because they feel it would cut down on the cheap shots and blows to the head that we see now... but some of you here want to ban fighting...

The NHL officials (on ice and front office) do very little to stop the cheap head shots... remember Gagne missed almost an entire season from a dileberate elbow to the jaw but theo on ice officials missed the call and the NHL front office refused to review it because there wasn't a call on the ice.

Giroux gets a concussion from a blatant elbow to the jaw and Penner gets a 4 game suspension... Giroux missed 5 games with the concusion...

Let the players police it... the instigation penalty protects the punks.

 

[21pro]

They want to see more goals scored to satisfy the US fan base.

I guess a tightly played 1-0 or 2-1 game with great goal tending is not "exciting" to wach south of the 49th.

i'm born and raised north of the 49th and me and all my friends do not want to see goal scoring drop down to where it was in the late '90s and early 2000's...

i like the hockey we have in the OHA jr A circuit... alot of 7-4 games- but, i'll admit it- the emphasis is not on defence nearly as much as it is in the NHL. we're trying to get kids scholarships here.

one thing i did think of for a rule change would be to have the all-star game winner (if east vs. west) get home ice for the stanley cup playoffs. usually it is elite players from playoff bound teams that want to take the weekend off to gain a few extra cheat days of rest... my sidney crosby included... i can't blame them- the healthiest skilled teams are always the ones that make it the furthest into the post season... but, give the all-star game some meaning.

 

[Anynym]

I'm not sure that it's a given that a larger net equals more goals. Maybe defensive players will start playing defense. Maybe goaltenders will spend more time standing up in front of the net, instead of croucing on the ice.

Soccer seems to have a pretty large net, compared to the size of the goaltender, and they don't seem to have an excess of scoring.

 

[spankingman]

Nhl

I can recall when the ALL STAR team played the Stanley Cup Champ!!!

I think that was done also in the CFL years ago