Potential Rule Changes NHL GM’s Should Consider

These pertinent topics will include the upcoming CBA, concussions, and potential rule changes. While the CBA is an extremely important issue and concussions continue to be relevant, it is the potential rule changes that need to be addressed.

For starters, overtime rules need to be addressed. While shootouts were great for a few seasons after the lockout, the league needs to figure out a way to lessen them.

For example, the general managers could look at first having a 5-minute 4-on-4 overtime followed by a 3-on-3 overtime. If the league were to ever implement this kind of overtime, it would more than likely decrease the amount of shootouts currently occurring in the NHL.

Secondly, the points system needs to be addressed. The “loser” point is helping teams that should not be making the playoffs make it interesting in both conferences. While interesting and intriguing is something that both the league and its fans want, it should not be in the form of a “loser” point.

If a team wins in regulation, the team should get two points and the loser team get nothing. If a team wins in overtime, the winning team should get two points and the loser team should get nothing. It is that simple as losing teams should not be rewarded for getting a game into overtime.

The league’s general managers also need to look at no-touch icing. Too often we are seeing NHL defensemen get buried into the boards by the opposition and it is leading to injuries. It needs to at least be looked at and considered as it might help cut down on the number of injuries occurring in the league.

While the CBA will more than likely be a priority for the general managers, rule changes need to at least start being discussed at these meetings and then taken to the next level during the off-season. It certainly will not hurt and may even make the game better than it is now.

On top of his work for Kukla’s Korner, Patrick covers the NHL for the Red Light District Hockey Blog and also contributes to Sportsnet.ca.

Prior to writing for the above-mentioned outlets, Hoffman’s musings have been published on TheHockeyNews.com, The Fourth Period, Spector’s Hockey, Hokeja Vestnesis, Blueshirt Bulletin, SNYRangersBlog.com, here on NHL Home Ice from 2008 to 2009, as well as a slew of others.

For comments and hip checks, feel free to contact Patrick at patrickhoffman3530@gmail.com or on Twitter at @pathoffman35.