Sweeping rule changes in NHL this season
When NHL teams begin a new season next month, there will be sweeping rule changes, the league announced Thursday.
No, the league isn't eliminating shootouts (though many of us would be in favor of it), but it is getting rid of of the spin-o-rama move in shootouts and penalty shots.
The other changes:
The goalkeeper's trapezoid area will be expanded by two feet from the goal post on both sides of the net. This will enable goalies to handle the puck more often.
Clipping, charging, elbowing, interference, kneeing, head-butting, and butt-ending move into the same category as boarding and checking from behind. A player who incurs two such game misconducts in this category would now be automatically suspended for one game.
Video review will be expanded, giving broader discretion to the Situation Room to assist referees in determining goals. This will allow hockey-operations officials to correct situations in which a video review shows that a "goal" or "no goal" call on the ice has been made in error. The Situation Room can also give guidance to referees when a whistle is blown after the official lost sight of the puck.
In reviewing kicked-in goals, the Situation Room will require more demonstrable video evidence of a "distinct kicking motion" to overrule a "goal" call on the ice, or to uphold a "no goal" call.
A two-minute penalty will be assessed when a defending player dives and trips an attacking player with his body/arm/shoulder, regardless of whether the defending player is able to make initial contact with the puck.
In an effort to reduce embellishment tactics, a player will receive a warning for "diving" to draw a penalty, and will be fined $2,000 for his second offense, $3,000 for his third, $4,000 for his fourth, and $5,000 for each of his fifth through eighth "diving" infractions.
Coaches will also be fined on a graduated scale, starting with $2,000 for his player's fourth embellishment penalty.
Trying to stop teams from delay tactics on faceoffs that follow icings, the player in the circle will be given a warning for his first infraction, but he will remain for the draw. A second violation will result in a two-minute bench minor.
Faceoffs will remain in the offensive end if a shot breaks the glass, goes off the side of the net and out of the playing area, goes off the boards and or glass and out of bounds, is tipped out of play by a teammate, or when the shot becomes wedged in or on the exterior of the goal.
Teams will switch ends prior to the start of overtime in the regular season, giving them a "long change" like in the second period. And, in an attempt to reduce shootouts, the entire ice surface will undergo a "dry scrape" prior to the start of overtime.
Coaches no longer have to submit a list of the first three shooters in the shootout.
In a preseason experiment, the NHL will move hash marks on faceoff circles from three feet to five feet, seven inches apart (international markings). The league and Players' Association will vote on the matter after the exhibition season.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.