Thread: NHL to experiment with new rule changes

Originally Posted by santiclaws

A couple of rule changes that I didn't see mentioned:

No icing allowed for the shorthanded team. I actually like this one. Why change a rule of the game to make it easier on the team being penalized? I also saw a suggestion (not sure if the NHL is planning to consider it) of going back to the full two minute penalty, regardless of any score by the team on the power play. I would not have a problem with either rule as long as it doesn't cause refs to start swallowing their whistles again.

The rule USED to be that 2 minute penalties lasted the full 2 minutes.
That was until 1956-57 when it changed because the Montreal Canadiens would often score multiple goals on 2 minute PPs.

1956

At the start of this season, the NHL changed the way power plays work. Prior to this season, a team could score as many goals as they wanted in a two minute power play with the penalised player remaining in the penalty box. The NHL changed it so that when a goal is scored on a two minute power play, the power play finished. The reason for this was because the Montreal Canadiens were so dominant on the power play, the NHL needed a way of ensuring parity. The previous season saw the Canadiens score 26% of all the league's power play goals. Oddly enough, the number of power play goals league-wide actually increased from 251 to 265 after the rule changed. Montreal, though, scored 10 fewer power play goals.

I don't know about the refs swallowing their whistles, but you can bet players would be more reluctant to take penalties, which could open the game up.

They also made the net 4 inches shallower to give the players more room behind the net. I like this idea. It might open up some more passing lanes as well.

Originally Posted by Bogey

The rule USED to be that 2 minute penalties lasted the full 2 minutes.

Which is why I said they were considering going back to it.

Why would they bring back the 2 line pass call? Doesn't make sense.

Originally Posted by santiclaws

Which is why I said they were considering going back to it.

So sorry for steppin' on your toes.

You left out all the neat Montreal Canadiens stuff though.

Originally Posted by USCKingsFan31

Don't understand the re-introducing of the two-line pass. Doesn't really jive with the "new NHL", does it?

Where in the article does it say they are bringing the two-line pass rule? I always hated that rule. Totally pointless.

I'm also not a fan of no line changes on offsides. On icing it's fine. But on offsides, there's enough punishment by not letting that team get a scoring opportunity. And please, no icing on power plays.

Here is Puck Daddys assesment of the R&D camp.

Pass or Fail: Grading NHL

I think he is spot on for most of it.