The NHL's Research, Development, and Orientation camp is scheduled to take place once again this coming week. Last year few changes came from it but I maintain that I really like the fact that the NHL is taking a pro-active path to examining the game both to make it safer and better rather than a re-active one. I also like the fact that while many of the things they are looking at they are doing so just to see them before ruling them out or giving them further consideration. It is a good thing to look to improve your game but not make changes without having a good grip on them, and not to make changes just for the sake of making changes or for bringing in fans that aren't going to be interested anyway.
This year they are going to be looking at some of the same things that they looked at last year, giving them further evaluation, as well as looking at other potential changes as well. My thoughts on last year's camp can be found here ... http://avinnebr.blogspot.com/2011/03/nhl-examining-rule-changes-fb-post-from.html ... and for the most part everything said there still holds true so I'll only touch breifly on any changes that are being re-visited from last year.
Potential changes from last year's camp that are coming back this year for further looks include icing rules, both hybrid and no-touch, and changes to offsides punishments such as no line changes or taking the faceoff back into the other zone. Much like last year I'm ok with any of the three icing rules but lean towards the hybrid then no-touch rule, and again I'm opposed to the offsides rule changes being looked at. They will also be looking at the faceoff rules and different ways of handling infractions in the circle, and again while I'm open to seeing these I don't think it is necisarily broken either right now.
They are also looking at a couple of potential changes to penalties and how they are handled too. Some of this is new and some revisited from last year, but most of it I would like to see in practice and get a better look at in action. One thing suggested is the shorthanded team can't ice the puck. While I'm fine with it the way it is, this could certainly put a degree of difficulty in penalty kills that isn't there now. They are also re-visiting not calling the penalty until the offending team clears their zone, not just gains possession, and a change where all penalties last their entire time despite any goals scored. The last one I'm not in favor of personally as I think it is an attempt to artificially inflate goal totals in games and isn't needed. The first however I like as often an attacking team can see a pass deflected and have it blown dead, but this change would let them attack until the other team actually moves the puck out of the zone. Still, it would be good to see in practice and thus the great thing about the camp ... these things can actually be seen in practice.
Rules regarding overtime and the shootout are being looked at again as well. These include changing the number of shooters in the shootout to 5 and using both the sudden death format as is now and also "repeating shooters". I am in favor of going to 5 shooters and then sudden death myself. They are also going to look at 4-on-4 followed by 3-on-3 again. I'm opposed to this and would rather see 8 minutes of 4-on-4 if they want to have more games end in overtime than ever seeing 3-on-3 (barring penalties). Reducing players in my opinion reduces the "team" aspect of the game.
They will also be doing a couple things that will affect goalies and change the nets themselves. First for the goalies two specific things are being looked at. One is the removal of the trapezoid, and personally I don't see the need to have it anyway so I'm fine with it being removed or kept either way. Next they are looking to more strictly call the "covering the puck outside the crease" rule that already exists (Rule 63.2). Personally I am fine the way it is. I don't think things are out of hand but this rule could lead to more rebound scoring or penalties, the first being ok, the second not needed. It could also change the way goalies play as if they are outside their crease and catch a puck in their body they could be penalized and I for one don't wish to see that. I think this is one that is worth looking at but isn't needing a change.
As for the nets themselves, there are also a couple of changes being looked at for them. One is thinner netting. I'm fine with this as long it still appears as a net because that is just part of the look of the game for me. Still, thinner netting could allow better viewing of pucks crossing lines or the like and really doesn't have a negative as long as the netting remains strong enough that pucks aren't passing through it with any regularity. The second change is shallower net backs. Again this is one that I'm interested in as it creates more room behind the net for players (or in the attacking zone if nets are moved back so the backs remain the same distance from the boards as they are now) and more ice area is good. However I would watch to see if there would be more nets being knocked over with a narrower base to hold them up.
One rule change proposal that I'm against is allowing hand passes in all zones. I'm ok with it in the defensive zone but anywhere on the ice I certainly am not. If they want to make it the same anywhere on the ice remove it from the defensive zone. Allowing it in places like in front of the net I picture being unbalancingly in favor of the attacking team. Being able to throw the puck where you want it removes the need for the skill of being able to lace a pass through traffic or in tight. Handpasses just aren't needed in the game and while ok in the defensive zone don't belong anywhere else, not that they really belong in the defensive zone either.
Another one new to this year is Burke's "Bear Hug" rule. He proposes that allowing players to wrap up another player to ride them into the boards instead of hitting them into the boards would reduce injuries. He might be right but to me that is holding and then some. It certainly sounds as if it is something that could be abused and would slow down the game and skill level of players. It could definitely be used to hold someone to the boards instead of allowing them to spin out and continue play. Definitely opposed to this one and I'll be curious to see what is said about it after the GMs see it in practice.
Other changes to be looked at are all pretty decent ideas in my opinion and while having little effect on the actual gameplay are things that could make their way into the game and make it better than it is. Curved glass where the glass ends could add protection for players who are hit there. Differenct camera angles and options giving better views and replays are always welcome, especially when it comes to helping determine if a puck is in the net or not. A 2nd line behind the goal line that is the diameter of the puck back from the goalline can also assist in determining if a puck is entirely over or not as if the puck touches it then it is in. Potential changes to the All-Star Skills competition are good things to look at to try to improve the All-Star experience, though the weekend needs help beyond that. Also giving the refs wireless communication between each other so they can speak with each other is a great idea that could help improve areas such as "losing sight of the puck" or similar situations.
Overall again there are some things worth looking at and some things that you have to wonder if they really need to see it to decide they don't like it. Still though it is great that the game is taking this time to examine the game and look at ideas and thoughts that have been put out there in attempts to make the game the best it can be. I fully support the NHL in doing this each year because there is nothing wrong with looking at these things as long as they are doing so the way they are now, with an eye at improving the game and player safety, not at changing things for the sake of change or for bringing in fans that wouldn't care either way.
The NHL.com article for any wishing to see it can be found here ... http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=585925&navid=mod-rr-headlines.
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