Thoughts On NHL Rule Changes
Here's my thoughts on the recent announcement of rule changes by the NHL.
Fines for Diving: this is pocket change to these millionaires
Less Shootouts: Games that go to overtime will now have the ice surface dry scraped by the zamboni in an effort to avoid going to shootout. Really? You think that will make any difference? Here's a better idea. Make the overtime period 10 minutes instead of 5. If you really want to cut down on shootouts, GET RID OF THE #*%@ SHOOTOUT!
"Spin-O-Rama" This maneuvre is no longer allowed on penalty shots or shootouts. Why? If it's allowed during regular play, what's the difference?
Expanded Trapezoid: I agree that the trapezoid behind the nets should be expanded. It should extend from one side of the boards straight across to the other. In other words, GET RID OF THE TRAPEZOID! You want more goals, NHL? Allow overconfident goalies to skate out 30 feet into the corners get caught mishandling the puck, overturning it to an opponent for an easy goal. Just like the way it was before the idiotic trapezoid. No one likes those stupid little lines behind the net.
Stalling On Faceoffs: Will a team be penalized if it's taking a defensive zone face-off and at the last second, their goalie asks the ref for a stick change after discovering that his goalie stick has mysteriously been broken? Will that goalie be allowed the change or will the referee deny him and tell him to play with his broken stick until the next whistle?
Here's some rule suggestions of my own:
Penalize players who sweep the puck out of the crease with their glove even if they don't close their hand over it. There's already one goalie in each net, we don't need anymore. I've seen Josh Gorges make two glove saves standing in place of his goalie in the crease. Block it with your shins, your body, your butt or your head. Just don't use your hands in the crease.
Don't allow teams killing a penalty to ice the puck. They've committed a rule infraction and yet they are allowed to kill time? There's no logic to that.
What do you think of these new rule changes?