Attention: League GMs, NHL Competition Committee, players, media, and anyone else that has influence in the NHL. Consider this blog post an e-memo to the NHL containing insightful rule suggestions that should be seriously considered.
When I say “seriously considered”, I’m not talking about silly rules involving trapezoids. These are concrete recommendations that WILL make the game even better and more exciting than it is now!
In addition to my top 10 new rules found below, I’d like other fans to submit their ideas. To help spur on this discussion, we’re going to be running a little contest here. Submit a new NHL rule idea and you could win a pair of tickets to a men’s Olympic hockey game! All eligible entries must be unique - Variations of ideas that have already been submitted are welcome but are NOT eligible to win. There will be multiple winners as voted on by your team here at HockeyDraft.ca. Good luck and have fun!
Now without further adieu, here are my Top 10 NHL Rule Recommendations :
1. If two teams are tied for the final playoff spot (8th in the conference) at the end of the regular season, they will square off in a 1 game playoff-like elimination to determine who makes the post-season. How exciting would that be? If four teams are tied for the final spot, then there will be two one-game eliminators played. If there is an odd number, then the leading team (according to the currently rules) will get a bye. I also propose that these elimination games be played at a neutral, non-NHL city (such as Winnipeg or Victoria). This would be a treat for fans of non-NHL cities.
2. During a delayed penalty, currently the play stops when the penalized team gains possession. This is a gray area as sometimes a team touches the puck and the play is called while other times it’s not. I propose changing the rule so that the play is not called until the penalized team gets the puck past the opposition’s icing line. This will force the team getting the penalty to really gain possession and fire it down to stop the play.
3. If a player clears the puck directly over the boards in the defensive zone, instead of a 2-minute penalty for delay of game, their team will instead lose their timeout (which is kind of like a delay to the game). If the team has already used/lost their timeout, then it is a 2-minute penalty.
4. All goals off the skate or deliberately kicked count as a legal goal. Why not?! You are allowed to score goals with your head in soccer… and those are usually the most beautiful goals too! Allowing goals to be scored by kicking it in would eliminate any gray area and also allow for some pretty slick plays.
5. I don’t think having 3 shooters in a shootout is enough. I’d like to see it increased to 5. Also, I think it would be fun to see new players on a team shoot rather than the typical group. Therefore a player can’t shoot if they took a shot in the team’s previous shootout. This would add some coaching strategy as well.
6. Players may not like this next rule change as it involves more travel. I think that we should increase the number of games against teams outside of your division and reduce the number of games against teams inside your division. Currently, you play 6 games against teams in your division, 4 games against teams in your conference but outside of your division, and 1 game against teams from the other conference (and three of those teams you play twice). I’d prefer to see teams play 5 divisional games, 3 intra-conference games and 2 against teams outside your conference. This will allow fans to see guys like Ovie and Sid the Kid more often in the West. This will also reduce the NHL schedule down to 80 games per team - a good round number.
7. If a goal is shot in right when the net is being nudged off, and the net being dislodged had no impact on the goal being scored (in the opinion of the ref), then the goal should stand. There are so many times when a goal has been waived off because the net slightly lifted off its moorings even though this movement didn’t play a factor in the goal.
8. Get rid of the blood = 4 minute penalty rule. The fact of the matter is some people bleed easier than others. Next thing you know guys will be hiding razor blades to cut themselves like in WWE (ok, maybe that’s a stretch and I probably shouldn’t be putting ideas into Avery’s head)… but I think a double minor should be up to the ref, not the skin.
9. I’ve seen a few occasions in which a player takes a penalty in the dying seconds of overtime, with no subsequent consequence, because the game is going into a shootout. Currently, you can slash, trip or do anything (other than something that would warrant a suspension) without really paying the consequences within that game. I think it would make more sense that if you took a penalty in overtime, and there is less time left on the clock than in your penalty, you should not be allowed to take a penalty shot (because technically, you’d still be in the penalty box!).
10. The kid inside me requests this next rule change. Bring back the octopus in Detroit! Bring back the rats in Florida! I like these traditions – they add some fun to the game. I can understand why these types of actions can be considered dangerous, but I’m sure teams can develop processes / quick clean up procedures in order to minimize any risks. Fining or awarding delay of game penalties doesn’t really make sense. Montreal and Toronto fans are everywhere – they can walk into another city and cause delay of game penalties to the home team… I’m not sure if it has happened, but I’m sure it could! I think the NHL can “control” it and have 5 or so charity nights per team where they are sold harmless things to throw on the ice. All proceeds from these “rats” or “whales” or whatever you’d like go to the team’s official charity.
… and there you have it! If you like these or any of the submitted comments, digg and tweet away! We need all the exposure we can get. Suggest your own rule idea now and you can win men’s Olympic hockey tickets! Good luck and have fun!
