Prior to the 2004-2005 regular season, the NHL was facing extreme tensions. The collective bargaining agreement had expired; a lock out would soon ensue. That work stoppage would change the game forever. Despite shutting its doors and losing millions in revenue, ownership knew the problems facing the league stemmed deeper than the Players’ Association. Franchise financial disarray and a declining on-ice product forced the NHL to close its doors for the entire season. When it came out from its hibernation, it not only solved the traditional ownership versus players bickering that always exists in labor disputes, but had also endured many rule changes that would affect the game tremendously. As we move into 2011, it is safe to look back at those alterations and discuss their ramifications. I have chosen five rule changes that have proved more critical than others.
1) The NHL adopted a salary cap. With many teams in dire straits, the league knew it had to curb the segregation that had taken place between big and small market teams. The larger markets could do one of two things: spend the extra cash that they were able to pull in or simply pad their wallets. Clubs such as New York (Rangers), Philadelphia, and Detroit were constantly able to spend at will to improve their rosters. Even though they were in this loop, the Boston Bruins ownership would repeatedly sit on their hands and allow the revenue to fall into their pockets. The small market teams were constantly losing their best free agents to the bigger fish and simply had to retool their rosters.
As a fan of a big market team, this was a tough pill to swallow. However, I could not fathom being a supporter of a team such as the New York Islanders. Seeing all your players leave and sign with bigger clubs is devastating to a fan base. It is hard for ownership to sell the “rebuilding phase” that seems to never end. Currently, the league has a good cash flow with teams being able to spend a minimum and maximum dollar value. While some loop holes exist, players are now signed in correlation to the cap. Successful teams such as the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins now have rosters mixed with skilled young players and grizzly veterans.
2) In accordance to officiating, the league passed a zero tolerance stance. While the league showcased the world’s best stars, all the interference and the holding impeded their skills to fully shine. If you go back and watch a game just prior to the lockout, you will be amazed at how many times a player would get mugged skating up and down the ice. It even did not matter if you had possession of the puck or not!
While I must admit that some of the penalty calls in today’s NHL are absurd, I believe that overall this implementation has been a true success. Teams know what is going to be called as an infraction and what is not, with the pendulum swinging in the penalty direction. Cracking down on interference, holding, slashing, tripping, and cross checking continues to be a league initiative. (If I ever played in today’s world, Dave Schultz’s single season penalty minute record* may be in jeopardy.)
3) A shoot-out will take place at the end of overtime, thus eliminating ties. Although most diehards did not seem to mind tie games, the casual fan could not seem to understand the purpose. To generate interest in games and hopefully transform the laid-back fan into a lover of hockey, the shoot-out was born. After the four on four**, five minute overtime period ends and the game is still deadlocked, three players from each team alternate taking a penalty shot, with the team who scores the most winning. If the teams are still tied, it then becomes a one on one sudden death until a victor is decided.
Although tied games did not faze me, I do understand that most people would rather have a winner of the game. While it is certainly exciting, I think it again needs to be tweaked to satisfy the old school fans, as well as keep the newbies interested.
4) To increase scoring chances, the NHL eliminated the two-line pass. One traditional rule that was a constant in the NHL was the two-line pass. It did not allow the puck possessing team the chance to make a pass to another player that was more than two lines a part on the ice. For instance, if a defenseman had the puck in his own defensive zone, the farthest he could pass would be on his defensive side of the red line. If the player was over the red line and received control of the puck, the play would be ruled offside. To help open up the game and increase the amount of scoring chances, the league abolished the rule.
I never fully understood the purpose of the two-line pass. While it definitely made the game play a “zone to zone” feel, it hindered the overall flow. The two-line pass allowed teams to institute a “trap” defense, which was the beginning the NHL’s product decline. Getting rid of this rule was long overdue and I have not come across anyone who misses it.
5) Goaltender equipment will be regulated in size. Goaltenders ruled the NHL. The position had transformed itself into an unbelievable dynamic. Over the years the skill level that climbed in goaltending was astonishing; as was the size of the equipment they wore. (They seemed to resemble the “Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.”) To further increase scoring, the NHL had two options when it came to goaltenders: to regulate the size of equipment or increase the net dimensions. The latter seemed to be the easiest, so goaltenders had to compromise. Leg pads, chest protectors, blockers, and gloves all had to meet new specifications.
I remember seeing Garth Snow play goalie for the Flyers prior to the lockout. His father was a roofer so they added some shingles to the shoulders of his chest protector to make it even bigger. While he definitely gets an “A” for ingenuity, it proved something had to be done. Goaltenders such as Martin Brodeur embraced the ruling, for it evened the playing field.
By analyzing today’s game, I have three ideas on possible league rule changes. With players sustaining tremendous head injuries, the first two scenarios cater to curb that upswing. The last addresses solely with the shoot-out.
1) Icing puck possession shall be determined by the first player to pass the defensive zone face off dot, thus eliminating the current touch icing. With players getting checked constantly while racing to touch the puck for icing, this rule change will accomplish two things. It will eliminate the full speed contact but also keep alive the race for the puck.
2) Player equipment should be regulated. With players being bigger, faster, and stronger than in previous generations, the NHL needs to address player safety, particularly concussions. In accordance to the goaltending ruling after the lockout, the next alternative is the reduction of player equipment.
3) Change the point structure given to the winning team. This ruling is quite simple: If your team wins in regulation or overtime, you receive 2 points. If you win in the shoot-out, you only receive 1 point total. If you lose the game, whether it is in regulation, overtime, or shoot-out, you receive 0 points. I believe this will push teams to win the game in regulation and overtime and make for exciting hockey near the end of tied games. Teams will not settle for a shootout victory any longer and will reduce the impact it has on games. By adopting this point structure, the NHL will appease it die hard fan base and draw interest from casual spectators.
*During the 1974-75 season, Dave “The Hammer” Schultz set the all-time single season penalty minutes record with 472.
**Prior to the 2004 lockout, the five minute overtime consisted of 5 players on the ice per side. The lockout rule changed that figure to 4 per side.
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