NHL Considering Pair of Rule Changes in Light of Recent Events
According to Elliotte Friedman via his latest 32 Thoughts Podcast, the NHL is considering two separate rule amendments, both related to the goaltending position. Recently, Connor Hellebuyck straight up called for a rule change when his mask came off in play and surrendered a goal. Not long after, Minnesota Wild head coach Dean Evason called out Maple Leafs goaltender Matt Murray for deliberately knocking his net off its moorings.
Both of these discussions have run hot over hockey fandom and among NHL GMs. Regarding the Hellebuyck situation, Friedman says GMs have taken notice and a change is imminent.
"There is definitely going to be something done in the aftermath of the Jason Robertson goal when Connor Hellebuyck's mask was knocked off last Friday. Maybe it's as simple as a more aggressive whistle, since GMs recognize goalies need to be protected. In the days since that occurred, there's also been a demand to make sure mask-off doesn't get abused or become a strategy. Last season, St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington received a delay-of-game penalty for removing his mask in a game against the Jets. Another suggestion was making a chin-strap mandatory - an attempt that failed in 2014. Goalies refused that as part of the equipment slimdown. [Goalie Gear Nerd] on Twitter made an interesting point, that this wouldn't work anyways because of the way the mask is designed to fall under contact."
This would assuage goaltenders' concerns over their safety for when their masks get knocked off. Within the confines of reason, if a goalie's mask comes off the play ought to get blown dead. That said, if goalies start exploiting that and pulling a Binnington, they should be penalized in the same light.
Now over to the Matt Murray item, Friedman reports that one GM and one broadcaster reached out to him and offered their insights on the subject.
The long and short of it is: nets coming off the moorings does vary from building to building, and if you make repeated intentional dislodging a penalty, they will stop.
"Another issue is nets coming off, which is already on the league's radar. It came up at the recent GM Meetings with everyone asking for more data before any decisions were made. One GM texted that he didn't want to hear any excuses about pegs or some arenas having weaker ones than others: 'Call a penalty, then it will stop.' One broadcaster asked the ice crew at his arena and was told there is indeed a difference from building to building, that some drill deeper and/or use a Shop-Vac to do a more thorough job of draining water from peg holes. But I do think penalties are going to come."
Both of these rule changes make sense in theory, although practically it remains to be seen. They are both sensible enough, as we don't want goalies put in danger - number one - and taking advantage of safety protocols - number two.
| POLL | ||
DÉCEMBRE 2 | 315 ANSWERS NHL Considering Pair of Rule Changes in Light of Recent Events How do you feel about these proposed rule changes? | ||
| Love them both | 139 | 44.1 % |
| Hate them both | 67 | 21.3 % |
| 1st = yes; 2nd = no | 57 | 18.1 % |
| 1st = no; 2nd = yes | 52 | 16.5 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
Top 10 latest hockey stories
