Scoring Is the Goal of Proposed Changes

Heeding Commissioner Gary Bettman’s mandate to explore avenues to increase scoring, NHL general managers on Tuesday proposed an array of changes that range from mild to major.

The key recommendations were shrinking the width of goaltenders’ leg pads from 12 inches to 10 inches, moving the goal lines and blue lines three feet closer to the end boards and adding six feet to the neutral zone, prohibiting goalies from playing the puck behind the goal line, and going back to the old tag-up offside rule.

Their second day of meetings in Henderson, Nev., also produced a resolution to test a shootout procedure in the American Hockey League next season to eliminate ties. The AHL is already experimenting with wider blue lines.

“We think these [recommendations] are refinements which, when put together, will strike a different balance in the game between defense and offense and create more offense,” Bettman said in a statement.

So intent on their work that they skipped a planned golf outing, general managers will continue discussions today and reconvene in six to eight weeks before sending their ideas to a special NHL panel this summer. The refined proposals will then go to the Board of Governors, which usually ratifies such recommendations.

Any changes could go into effect next season, if there isn’t a lockout. The restrictions on goaltenders’ pads were expected, but restricting their movement is a fundamental change that might meet opposition from teams whose goalies are skillful puck handlers.

Two rules were clarified for immediate implementation. Goals had been disallowed if the puck entered the net after the frame was jostled or lifted off a peg, but the frame must now be completely dislodged for an otherwise legal goal to be waved off.

In addition, a penalty shot may be awarded to a player who has a clear path to a breakaway and is fouled from behind before he has possession of the puck. Previously, the player had to be in clear possession before a penalty shot could be awarded.