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NHL Rules Changes: Probing The Brave New Hockey World
An assessment of NHL rules changes for the 2005-06 NHL season.
By Jamie Fitzpatrick, About.com

On July 22, 2005, the board of governors approved the most radical set of NHL rule changes in many years. Most of the changes are designed to boost offensive chances and scoring, and several represent a return to rules that were in place years ago. This page looks at the major NHL rule changes for 2005-06, according to the latest media reports.

A new standard of enforcement for existing rules.

      The league promises zero tolerance for hooking, holding, tripping, slashing, cross checking and interference. Players who use their stick or free hand to slow any opposing player will be penalized.
      The Case: Time to put an end to the grappling, wrestling and bear-hugging that sucks the speed and skill from the game.
      Impact: Initially it means way more penalties, which turns the power play into the most important tool on any NHL team. If the new standard is permanent, it will definitely open up the offensive play.
      Down Side: What good is a hockey game if you can't hit anybody? Half the appeal is watching the stars succeed in a physically brutal environment. And who needs the constant parade to the penalty box? Do we want every night to look like the annual NHL All Star Game, always a contact-free, wide open, high-scoring, and painfully boring affair?

More at http://proicehockey.about.com/cs/rules/a/04_rule_changes.htm


Since then enforcement has gotten even tighter, with many newly-clarified rules and continuing exploration and enforcement of rules governing the most likely-to-injure tactics.

~S~