The NHL Changes Proposed For Overtime.

[BostonBruinsDan1924 53]

With the NHL Research and Development Camp under way, I thought this would be a good time to chime in regarding the proposed rule changes. Let's start with line changes occurring only on the fly. While from the outside, this would seem to be a good idea, there are a lot of coaching implications involved.

Firstly, last change for the home team would be eliminated, an advantage many coaches use to their fullest advantage. Would you be more inclined to allowing both teams to change when stoppages occur in the neutral zone, like an offside call, but restricting changes when a defending team forces a face-off in their own zone, like when a goalie freezes the puck, or a defenseman sits on it. This would oblige goalie and defenseman to keep the puck alive, or deal with the prospect of taking a defensive zone face-off with the centre who was last on the ice.

Speaking of offside calls, another rule is being mulled over that would have the offending team backed into their defensive zone for a face-off, as is the rule now when taking a penalty. In my opinion, that's a little excessive. I can understand giving a team an advantage to start a powerplay, but for something as small as an offside? It would give the advantage to the defending team, in the sense that they would be able to trap at their defensive blue line and reduce the flow of the game, something the NHL is looking to avoid.

The last part of the face-off debacle is the linesmen. Over the past couple of seasons, it's become apparent that the officials have become a bigger part of the outcome of games through their inconsistency at the dot. If anything, should the NHL mandate their linesmen to make corrections to a player's position prior to assuming their crouch to drop the puck, after which they would have 3 seconds to drop the biscuit? This way they wouldn't mess with the centres' timing so much, and reduce the number of players being tossed from the face-off. In the same sense, it would allow wingers and defensemen the ability to time the drop of the puck, and get into position without slowing down the game.

Next let's look at the icing rule. It has been discussed that either no-touch icing be implemented or a hybrid of it, where races for the puck can still occur when players are in proximity to each other. Both situations would reduce the amount of serious injuries that occur when the puck iced.

My choice would be the hybrid system. While it would leave the call at the discretion of the officials, it would keep the possibility of a puck chase in the game. Only 10% of icing plays generate puck chases behind the goal line. My only issue with this is the officials should also be made aware that teams use icing as an offensive play when a winger is breaking hard into the offensive zone. If in an attempt to protect the players the league takes strategic advantages away from teams, the particular rule in question would be scrutinized forever.

It's also being discussed that teams playing short-handed would have to play the puck beyond their own blue line before they could ice the puck. While this would increase to offensive chances from the team on the power play, the long term effects on players would be too much of a disadvantage. For example, if a team was hemmed in because they could not icing the puck and change players, those players stuck on the ice would become too fatigued for too long a period of time. The only time they would be able to catch a break would be during the intermissions.

Now, since we're behind the net, why not discuss the removal of the trapezoid and the shortening of the depth of the net. From where I stand, do both, but with restrictions. For example, if both rules are in place, let the goalie play the puck anywhere, but restrict them to playing the puck in their zone only from behind the goal line. If they can skate it in front the line, then they could attempt a stretch pass. This way, the forechecking team could still attempt to get possession of the puck from the opposing goaltender with compromising their defensive posture. Otherwise, leave the trapezoid in. Either way, shortening the depth of the nets would increase the space behind them for players to make offensive plays. If only Gretzky were still playing, he'd be frothing at the mouth.

Finally, the NHL is discussing changes to the overtime format. While the shootout was a novel idea when it was introduced, it's starting to bore some more traditional fans. It's also been discussed that overtime start with 5 minutes of 4-on-4, followed by 5 minutes of 3-on-3, and then the shootout.

There is no point of a game more exciting then when a team scores an overtime goal in the play-offs. Fans become euphoric while they watch their heroes celebrate a hard-earned victory. I think it would be best to play 5 minutes of 4-on-4, then continue to play at 3-on-3 until a winner is determined. Since hockey is a team oriented sport, why would you want to see a player and goalie go Mano e Mano, when you could see a tic-tac-toe passing play to win a game instead.

Some of these proposed rules make sense, from certain perspectives, but when you're talking about changing the makeup of the game as a whole, then forget it. It was hard enough to swallow the first set of changes after the lockout. When you add too many ingredients to an already good recipe, you may end up serving something that wouldn't be digestible.

Just some food for thought.

[BostonBruinsDan1924 53]

RULE 84 - OVERTIME AS IT STANDS TODAY

Rule 84 - Overtime

84.1 Overtime – Regular-season - During regular-season games, if at the end of the three (3) regular twenty (20) minute periods, the score shall be tied, each team shall be awarded one point in the League standings. The teams will thenplay an additional overtime period of not more than five (5) minutes with the team scoring first declared the winner and being awarded an additional point. The overtime period shall be played with each team at a numerical strength of four (4) skaters and one (1) goalkeeper. Additional penalties to be assessed consistent with the rules in regulation time.

The overtime period will be commenced immediately following a one (1) minute rest period during which the players will remain on the ice. The teams will not change ends for the overtime period. Goalkeepers may go to their respective players' benches during this rest period, however, penalized players must remain on the penalty bench. Should a penalized player exit the penalty bench during this rest period, he shall be returned immediately by the officials with no additional penalty being assessed, unless he commits an infraction of any other rule.

84.2 Overtime – Regular-season – Extra Attacker - A team shall be allowed to pull its goalkeeper in favor of an additional skater in the overtime period. However, should that team lose the game during the time in which the goalkeeper has been removed, it would forfeit the automatic point gained in the tie at the end of regulation play, except if the goalkeeper has been removed at the call of a delayed penalty against the other team. Should the goalkeeper proceed to his bench for an extra attacker due to a delayed penalty call against the opposing team, and should the non-offending team shoot the puck directly into their own goal, the game shall be over and the team that was to be penalized declared the winner. Once the goalkeeper has been removed for an extra attacker in overtime during the regular-season, he must wait for the next stoppage of play before returning to his position. He cannot change "on the fly." If he does, a bench minor penalty shall be assessed for having an ineligible player.

84.3 Overtime – Regular-season – Penalties – When regulation time ends and the teams are 5 on 3, teams will start overtime 5 on 3. Once player strength reaches 5 on 4 or 5 on 5, at the next stoppage of play, player strength is adjusted to 4 on 3 or 4 on 4, as appropriate. When regulation ends and teams are 4 on 4 teams will start overtime 3 on 3. If at the end of regulation time teams are three (3) skaters on three (3) skaters, overtime starts three (3) skaters on three (3) skaters. Once player strength reaches five (5) skaters on four (4) skaters or five (5) skaters on five (5) skaters, at the next stoppage player strength is adjusted to four (4) skaters on three (3) skaters or four (4) skaters on four (4) skaters, as appropriate. At no time will a team have less than three players on the ice. This may require a fifth skater to be added if a two-man advantage occurs. Refer to Reference Tables – Table 19 – Penalties In Effect Prior to the Start of Overtime – Regular Season.

If a team is penalized in overtime, teams play four (4) skaters against three (3) skaters. If both teams are penalized with minor penalties at the same stoppage of play (with no other penalties in effect), teams will play three (3) skaters against three (3) skaters. In overtime, if a team is penalized such that a two-man advantage is called for, then the offending team will remain at three (3) skaters while the non-offending team will be permitted a fifth skater. At the first stoppage of play after the two-man advantage is no longer in effect, the numerical strength of the team will revert back to either four (4) skaters on four (4) skaters or a four (4) skaters on three (3) skaters situation, as appropriate. Refer to Reference Tables – Table 20 – Penalties Assessed in Overtime – Regular Season.

84.4 Shootout - During regular-season games, if the game remains tied at the end of the five (5) minute overtime period, the teams will proceed to a shootout. The rules governing the shootout shall be the same as those listed under Rule 24 - Penalty Shot. The teams will not change ends for the shootout. The home team shall have the choice of shooting first or second. The teams shall alternate shots. Three (3) players from each team shall participate in the shootout and they shall proceed in such order as the Coach selects. All players are eligible to participate in the shootout unless they are serving a ten-minute misconduct or have been assessed a game misconduct or match penalty. Guidelines related to stick measurement requests during the shootout are outlined in 10.7 – Stick Measurements – Prior to Shootout Attempt.

Once the shootout begins, the goalkeeper cannot be replaced unless he is injured. No warm up shall be permitted for a substitute goalkeeper. Each team will be given three shots, unless the outcome is determined earlier in the shootout. After each team has taken three shots, if the score remains tied, the shootout will proceed to a "sudden death" format. No player may shoot twice until everyone who is eligible has shot. If, however, because of injury or penalty, one team has fewer players eligible for the shootout than its opponent, both teams may select from among the players who have already shot. This procedure would continue until the team with fewer players has again used all eligible shooters. Regardless of the number of goals scored during the shootout portion of overtime, the final score recorded for the game will give the winning team one more goal than its opponent, based on the score at the end of overtime. The losing goalkeeper will not be charged with the extra goal against. The player scoring the game-winning goal in the shootout will not be credited with a goal scored in his personal statistics. If a team declines to participate in the shootout procedure, the game will be declared as a shootout loss for that Team. If a team declines to take a shot it will be declared as "no goal."

84.5 Overtime – Playoffs – In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, when a game is tied after three (3) twenty (20) minute regular periods of play, the teams shall take a normal intermission (fifteen (15) minutes) and resume playing twenty (20) minute periods, changing ends for the start of each overtime period. The team scoring the first goal in overtime shall be declared the winner of the game.

[Guest Shoreline]

I'm not much of a fan of these changes, except the removal of the trapezoid as it actually addresses an error and corrects it instead of makes it worse.

The touch/no-touch icing and OT issues are just being continuously mangled. Either keep icing as it is, or implement no-touch. Simple. For OT, either make OT continuous 5 on 5 or 4 on 4, or extend it to something more reasonable like 20 minutes, before throwing the game into a shootout. The 5 minute 4 on 4 and the 4 on 4/3 on 3 hybrid is stupid as hell.

[hooon 1,089]

I'm not much of a fan of these changes, except the removal of the trapezoid as it actually addresses an error and corrects it instead of makes it worse.

The touch/no-touch icing and OT issues are just being continuously mangled. Either keep icing as it is, or implement no-touch. Simple. For OT, either make OT continuous 5 on 5 or 4 on 4, or extend it to something more reasonable like 20 minutes, before throwing the game into a shootout. The 5 minute 4 on 4 and the 4 on 4/3 on 3 hybrid is stupid as hell.

I've never liked the hybrid idea either.

The problem with having a longer OT is the issue of intermissions. The way it is now, the OT period starts immediately following the end of the third. If the OT were to be extended, (or played as an endless sudden death OT as the OP is suggesting), it would be unfair/unsafe for the players to play without a break before hand, and adding an extra intermission would slow down the game considerably (at the most exciting time).

I'm not a huge fan of the shootout, but I think the way the OT is now is the way it should say. I haven't really heard any suggestions yet that don't just complicate things further.

And yeah, the trapezoid needs to go.

[martyrme19 73]

The shoot out has attracted new fans. People will stop what they are doing at bars when a shoot out happens. People who don't watch hockey clammer to the television when they see a shoot out. People who are against the shoot out have not thought it through.

If any changes happen, it should be 5-5 10 min OT followed by SO. 2 pts for a win no matter what, 0 pts for a loss in regulation or OT, 1 pt for loss in a SO.

[kylee 727]

am i the only person here who actually doesnt mind the shoot out? i mean its the best option in my eyes to end a regular season game with excitement without dragging the game on where either people may leave or perhaps a player gets injured. Im good with the shoot outs in the regular season. Maybe a small addendum to the current role, play one 10 minute OT and then shoot out? is this being tossed around? no silly 3-3 to 2-2 , just 5-5 hockey , and if it gets past the 10 minute OT, give me the shoot out.

[WingZNut13 99]

I love a shootout. Honestly, I'm with martyrme19, I think the shootout has attracted new fans. But the 4v4 needs to go. I think they should do a 5v5 for 10 min and then go to a shootout. Shootouts almost always make the highlights and it needs to stay. The 4v4 for 5 min is just silly and waste. I like 5v5 hockey, that's why I watch. Keep the shootout, the 4v4 needs to go.

[Cali-Wing-Nut 102]

The Icing change is my biggest issue. Second is if I read it correctly bring a team that goes off back into their zone. Add in the line change rules and you have a recipe for some teams or teams having a bad night to never get out of their end and wear down the guys on the ice to the point they are worthless by the end of the game.

The no touch icing negates players like Helmer, he can usually pick up a puck that was stretched and missed. With these proposed rules he doesnt have a chance of picking it up.

Now about the team that goes off going back to their end. Talk about screwing up the flow and pace of the game. Not only does this over work the players, bad off side call could decide games. Maybe thats what they want but at the least its serious annoying especially if a blue line missing a pass.

The line change rule is idiotic. Why not just do all the drops at center and get it over with??? Who cares if you play half of your games at home when you can play like theyre all on the road?!?!?

Im ok with the trapezoid as well as anything that can be done with getting rid of the shoot out. God knows we have felt the sadness of having a goaling that cant hold up his end without a guy to help him out.

All in all its just 5 or 6 ways to ruin the game that much more not to mention add in more opportunities for me to call out the refs for colluding and/or cheating.

[Nightfall 871]

am i the only person here who actually doesnt mind the shoot out? i mean its the best option in my eyes to end a regular season game with excitement without dragging the game on where either people may leave or perhaps a player gets injured. Im good with the shoot outs in the regular season. Maybe a small addendum to the current role, play one 10 minute OT and then shoot out? is this being tossed around? no silly 3-3 to 2-2 , just 5-5 hockey , and if it gets past the 10 minute OT, give me the shoot out.

I am a big fan of the shootout as well. At the same time, I would rather see a 4v4 5 minute OT followed by a 5 minute 3v3 OT. In some games 5v5 isn't going to cut it. I believe that a 4v4 is more exciting and a 3v3 would be even more exciting to watch. Just my .02 cents.

[Majsheppard 203]

I'm not much of a fan of these changes, except the removal of the trapezoid as it actually addresses an error and corrects it instead of makes it worse.

The touch/no-touch icing and OT issues are just being continuously mangled. Either keep icing as it is, or implement no-touch. Simple. For OT, either make OT continuous 5 on 5 or 4 on 4, or extend it to something more reasonable like 20 minutes, before throwing the game into a shootout. The 5 minute 4 on 4 and the 4 on 4/3 on 3 hybrid is stupid as hell.

I love the Trapazoid. I think it makes the game far more interesting, and if the goalies want to stop it, they could get to the puck before it crosses the line into the corner. That would really be interesting.

Honestly, whenever they talk about rule changes I cringe. The game is pretty smooth right now. I would suggest that something has to be done about the face-offs and officiating, and the head shots as well. Besides that, let them play boys.