Rules of Hockey: Changes on the way

[Warden]

_ Goalies can no longer handle the puck behind the back-end red line (behind the net)

- The width of goalie pads will be reduced to 10 inches from the current limit of 12 inches; also, the league's head office will act as a clearing house for goalie's equipment before they can wear it

- The nets will be brought back to 10 feet from the back boards from the current 13 feet;

- The tag-up offsides will be brought back

- AHL will try out three points being awarded for a victory in regulation time with NHL possibly going to that format in 2005-06 if it works well in the minors; that would also include two points for an overtime win, it may also include two points for a penalty shootout win.

- The AHL will also be asked to try out the so-called ``fat lines'' of both blue-lines and the centre red line next season. But they will be 24 inches instead of the 36 inches tried out this year in the AHL. They're currently 12 inches wide in the NHL.


http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=71686&hubName=nhl

[bonham1963]

I think all of the items you mentioned should be changes made in hockey. I expect the least liked item may be that goalies can't handle the puck behind their goal line. Wade Redden (Ottawa defenseman) was vocal about that item and didn't like it. Probably because he would have to skate and get the puck now. Redden is probably one of the most over rated players in the NHL.

[DfromthaB]

the one with the goalie not able to play the puck is just ridiculous. Goalies have worked hard to be a good puck handler and you cant take that away from them. I do think goalies should be fair game when they are out of their nets with the puck though, there would be nothing wrong with that at all.
Also I dont think they should make them wear smaller equipment, increase the size of the net instead. They would be like NHL size nets, they wouldnt have to change the size of them in every league ie/CHL, NCAA and what not, just in the NHL where goalies are bigger and better. I think it would be wrong to have to make all goalies get new equipment. If the rule only stands in the NHL it would be too hard to adjust for a goalie coming into the league from junior.