Now that there has been a season and a half of the new rules, have they made the game better, worse, or just different? Is the game more exciting, or is it more of a special teams showcase? Any thoughts?
2007-01-25 03:59:38 · 7 answers · asked by fat_elvis_rocked 1 in Sports ➔ Hockey
The thing people don't appreciate about the new rules is that it's not an instant fix to anything. This little period in time will be known as the crackdown in NHL history, and the age of the special teams. The current NHL players will always take hooking penalties and these interference penalties because that's how they were raised on hockey. Defense men learned if a guy gets away, put a stick on him to slow him up. That was normal, and it's hardwired into the players brains, that's why there's so much hooking and tripping and interference calls these days. These rules are meant to affect the kids being trained now, the pewees and bantam and junior kids. The coaches no longer tell them to put a stick on a guy, why teach them that? They can't do it in the NHL anymore. So it's going to take time but eventually these rules will see the NHL with more small, fast, flashy players. Which is what we all want to see. No one wants to see a defense battle. The rules aren't meant to affect anything today, they're mean to affect things in 2026.
2007-01-25 04:12:01 · answer #1 · answered by Manuscript Replica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the 90's New Jersey did great because they brought about the neutral zone trap(crap). It was very boring hockey to watch. Also if you watch footage from the 50's, 60's, 70's hockey was a slow paced game other than some elite players ie Howe, Orr, Clarke, Sittler, Lafleur. Gretzky brought on a new era but if you were not an Oilers fan you were not happy in the 80's. That brings us to todays hockey. A team in a small market like Nashville has just as good a chance as a big city like New York to win the Cup.
Personally I like the new NHL. It is faster and for years I have thought taht smaller faster players were the way to go but in days gone by they were relegated to Junior B teams,then if good enough got a scholarship but rarely made the Junior A and NHL. With the new NHL this has changed and size is not the most important anymore. Buffalo is a good example of good drafting and using smaller faster players. They are 1st in the East. Even if you are not a Sabres fan which I am not, I suggest you watch them play a game and see what I am trying to get at.
The comment about the special teams showcase only holds true for the teams that still don't get it. If you play the old way you will be penalized(unless you're Crosby, Ovechkin but that is another story) and you will lose games.
I unlike a lot of people like the shootout and think that non hockey fans will come to the game hoping to see one.
I like the new rules and things are looking up for the NHL.
2007-01-25 05:11:03 · answer #2 · answered by mapleleafskickass 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like the new shootout. I hated games ending in a tie. Definitely makes for more exciting hockey.
I dont like that they aren't consistent with the calls. I also don't like how if you look at Crosby the wrong way you get a penalty.
I think some rule changes were made for the better (no two line passes, less icing) and others are worse (they barely ever let guys fight anymore) and mostly everything is just different.
2007-01-25 04:13:27 · answer #3 · answered by Gina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have made the game nearly impossible for goalies. If you were a half decent goalie a few years a ago you are a bad goalie today.
Only the top goalies like Brodeur, Turco, Hasek, and Giguere have decent goals against averages. The rest of the league isn't that fortunate.
There are far too many touch penalties resulting in far too many power plays.
The game has been built for the goal scores in a very lopsided way.
Bettman has pretty much turned this into a street hockey game on ice. The NHL needs to get rid of him.
2007-01-25 04:14:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am no expert by any means, but I like the new rules. I find the games more entertaining.
I enjoy the shoot out part...though I have yet to see one in real life (only on tv).
Go Flames Go!!
2007-01-25 04:08:14 · answer #5 · answered by michellecdnd 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it adds to the gmae that for sure i love the shootouts but all and all its still not catching on and i dont know why
2007-01-25 04:15:57 · answer #6 · answered by happyman82385 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NHL? What's that? Never heard of it...
2007-01-25 04:07:23 · answer #7 · answered by dick_coxnbutz 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋