To clarify a wee bit...

The change in what is now happening in front of the net is not due to a specific rule change, but the new enforcement of the old rule of obstruction/interference. In hockey, you are allowed to physically contact the puck carrier (aka "checking), but not players without the puck. In the past few years, players in open ice were being manhandled even though they did not have the puck, to slow down their process into the offensive zone, or to tie them up completely to avoid them receiving a pass. The new enforcement eliminates this "thuggery" as some are wont to call it.

As a side note, it has definitely changed the play in front of the goalie. In the past, the team on offence would have a player or two parked in front at his own risk, as he was constantly being slashed at and cross checked by the defencemen there, or at least tied up with him. Now, it is almost a complete hands-off rule, which makes the defensemen's job description the one needing the most change in the game. You will see young, mobile defensemen (think Ed Jovanovski from Vancouver) being must more effective than the old-style guard (think Scott Stevens of the Devils in his heyday).

Me... I love it :-)

Brian