NHL Network Analyst Proposes Massive Rule Changes
The NHL is an ever evolving game. Each year rules are updated, added, or removed. Along this line one NHL analyst had a slew of new rule changes he would like to see.
Johnson Proposes Rule Changes
NHL Network analyst and NHL insider Mike Johnson had some passionate thoughts on some current NHL rules. He had several suggestions for ways to change or improve current rules and their enforcement.
The first rule he approached was the hand pass.
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"From now on going forward, we're going to allow hand passes from every player in every zone," said Johnson. "There's no reason why a defensive team if the puck's in there I can grab it and give it and break it out, but as an offensive player I can't. Why would I not have the same rules for the offensive team as the defensive team?"
This rule change would see the hand pass be allowed. Currently, it is allowed on defense but not elsewhere. Johnson argues that if it's allowed in the defensive zone it should be allowed in all areas.
Next Johnson talked about goals being kicked in or going off a player's skate.
The other... any goal off a skate counts," said Johnson. "Here's my safety amendment.... except in the blue paint."
In conjunction with this rule he also believers the same should be the case for goals with a high stick.
There is no high stick rules for goals," added Johnson. "People don't swing their stick at pucks, and if they do and they hit you in the head, you go to the box and you don't get to come out when they score two goals."
With these rules scoring would likely go up. However, the game would also become more dangerous in the process. The risk for injuries from skates and sticks would likely go up significantly.
Will The NHL Make These Changes?
While the changes regarding a high stick or skate goal are likely staying due to safety some others could be changed. Even with Johnson's updated penalty rules to help with the injuries obtained it likely isn't enough.
When it comes to the hand pass this could be a rule that realistically be changed. The NHL already allows it in one area of the ice. There isn't that many occurrences where this would even be used. On top of that it could lead to more offensive chances and ways to keep possession.
While we are not likely to see any of these changes in the near future it certainly creates discussion.
| POLL | ||
2 SEPTEMBRE | 156 ANSWERS NHL Network Analyst Proposes Massive Rule Changes Which would you like to see the NHL change? | ||
| Hand pass rules | 69 | 44.2 % |
| High stick goal rule | 29 | 18.6 % |
| Kicking motion goal rule | 58 | 37.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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