Changes to the game likely
If there is a season this fall, one can expect some rule changes in the league. During a three-day meeting the league’s general managers came up with solutions to increase offense and as a result increase the NHL fan base. In this meeting, GMs suggested reducing goaltenders’ pads from the current 12 inches to 10 and the goaltenders would not be allowed to play pucks behind the goal line. These solutions must be approved by a league committee, which consists of a panel of hockey experts and the board of governors, over this summer. “I think the goalie should be able to stop the puck, but by limiting his passing abilities you’ll have more play in that end,†Smith said. In the meeting, they also agreed to increase the neutral zones from the current 54 feet to 60 and to move the nets back three feet toward the end boards while also moving the blue line to maintain the same distance between the blue line and net.
Other individuals think that the game needs only minor changes and that too big of a change could throw things off. “I think it is a good game now. Subtle rules changes are fine with me but they can’t go overboard,†Detroit Red Wings play-by-play broadcaster Ken Kal said. Kal believes that goaltenders should be allowed to help out defensiveman in the back, but should not be allowed to partake in a forward pass. He does agree with the general managers’ solutions that the net should be moved back and the goaltender’s equipment size should be limited.
Detroit Free Press sports writer Nicholas Cotsonika thinks that no big changes should be made to the game, but rather to the amount of teams in the league. “By removing around four teams in the league, it would concentrate talent and make the game more interesting,†Cotsonika said. The NHL currently has 30 teams, of which six teams (Atlanta Thrashers, Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Minnesota Wild) have been created within the last 10 years.
The summer shall prove to be an interesting time as the rule changes are finalized for the next season and the CBA battle hits its stride. “From a personal standpoint, as a fan of the game and as a member of this organization, I really hope they find some way to solve it. I know right now that the outlook isn’t very good. But I think if baseball can get their situation resolved, then we have to for the good of the game,†Krappmann said.
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