The NHL Arena Welcome Message

[LeaferSutherland]

Pierre Lebrun

But one other item on the agenda I found interesting was the discussion about whether to eliminate the trapezoid, the areas where goalies aren't allowed to play the puck. The trapezoid was brought in after the lockout amid the package of rule changes, which opened up the game. It was believed at the time that limiting the goalies' ability to play the puck in the corners would help the opposing team's forecheck; but there's a feeling among some GMs that goalies should be allowed to roam freely again, which may help some defensemen avoid injuries from having to play the puck. We'll see whether or not there's enough widespread support to make a change for next season. I don't get a sense either way right now.

Thoughts?

[Cujorulesdtown90]

I think its a stupid rule to begin with, there's no real point to it.

[Stein]

As long as goalies aren't treated like sacred cows outside of the crease and are subject to a legal check when they have the puck, I'm fine with getting rid of the Trapezoid of Doom.

You wanna go all the way to the corner to play the puck, have at it... but don't come whining when someone shoulders you to the boards. There should be a risk/reward aspect for all players... when the goalie has the puck, they should be treated like just another skater and should be subject to the same rules.

This point has been edited by Stein: Nov 8 2009, 10:17 AM

[LeaferSutherland]

As long as goalies aren't treated like sacred cows outside of the crease and are subject to a legal check when they have the puck, I'm fine with getting rid of the Trapezoid of Doom.

You wanna go all the way to the corner to play the puck, have at it... but don't come whining when someone shoulders you to the boards. There should be a risk/reward aspect for all players... when the goalie has the puck, they should be treated like just another skater and should be subject to the same rules.

You can bet that won't happen since this is all brought up as a means to lessen injuries.

In the OHL, defenders are now considered "sacred cows" on the backboards.

[Chris TMC]

I am 100% for ditching the trapezoid. Its stupid and they only did it to lessen the impact of puck-playing goalies... which annoys me and anyone else who happens to have one on their team.

[Avsfreak18]

puck playing goalies annoy me, I dont mind it at all

[Stein]

You can bet that won't happen since this is all brought up as a means to lessen injuries.

In the OHL, defenders are now considered "sacred cows" on the backboards.

If they're so concerned with injuries, just make it a no-checking league, make the pucks and sticks out of Nerf foam and instead of 2:00, make every check a game misconduct.

This is hockey, not the damned Ice Capades.

[Chris TMC]

If they're so concerned with injuries, just make it a no-checking league, make the pucks and sticks out of Nerf foam and instead of 2:00, make every check a game misconduct.

This is hockey, not the damned Ice Capades.

Yeah! What you said! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/yes.gif) (Oops, I mean (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bad.gif) )

This point has been edited by Chris TMC: Nov 8 2009, 02:34 PM

[Steelwool]

As long as goalies aren't treated like sacred cows outside of the crease and are subject to a legal check when they have the puck, I'm fine with getting rid of the Trapezoid of Doom.

You wanna go all the way to the corner to play the puck, have at it... but don't come whining when someone shoulders you to the boards. There should be a risk/reward aspect for all players... when the goalie has the puck, they should be treated like just another skater and should be subject to the same rules.

I agree with getting rid of the trapezoid. If a team has a puck handling goalie like Turco, good for them. But, if like Luongo, it's an adventure every time he handles the puck, then change the style.
However, once he leaves the crease, he becomes a 3rd defenseman, and as such is treated the same way. The same rules apply to him.

[Bean]

I'm all for getting rid of the trapezoid. Thought it was another stupid change that was not necessary. If this does change, and while I know the league will never allow a goalie to be checked if they are playing the puck, I think the unwritten "do not hit the goalie rule" needs to be altered as well.

Maybe they need to keep the trapezoid lines, and make the note that if the goalie plays the puck as they are allowed to now, they are "untouchable". If they choose to play the puck in the corners, they are free game just like any other player. They can be tied up with the puck along the boards. It is their choice to go play the puck so it is their choice to make that decision if they want to get hit.

I'll elaborate further than just the no hitting, as I think the goalie should not be allowed to cover the puck just about anywhere either. The goalie should only be able to cover the puck in the crease area, not outside of it, otherwise that should be a penalty.

[Tashimojo]

You know when the trapezoid was first introduced I thought it was terrible, but I really don't have a problem with it anymore. Goalies are always treated as the so-called "sacred cows" wherever they are on the ice, and now there's spots where they aren't... because they aren't allowed to go there. Although with all this net-crashing it seems the crease has started to become the least safe place on the ice for the netminders.

[LeaferSutherland]

The only problems I've had with goaltenders going into the corners, is that the good ones made for some boring nights.

I remember playing the Devils would line up on their own blueline, almost making it impossible for a natural transition into the zone and every dump in resulted in a "dump-out" by Brodeur.

Effective? Yes. Exciting to watch??

Hell no!

[State 0f Chaos]

The only problems I've had with goaltenders going into the corners, is that the good ones made for some boring nights.

I remember playing the Devils would line up on their own blueline, almost making it impossible for a natural transition into the zone and every dump in resulted in a "dump-out" by Brodeur.

Effective? Yes. Exciting to watch??

Hell no!

.....I wouldn't mind that at all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hiding.gif)
Kidding, of course.

Either way, the trapezoid is just a stupid rule to begin with. I don't care if your team has a puck-playing goalie or not, they should be allowed to play the puck in the corners. Now, I'm not saying they should be allowed to go all over the ice with it (although seeing a goalie score on a one-timer would be awesome, I've seen a video of it on youtube of it happening somewhere in Europe...of course it was disallowed). This is one rule change that could cut down on injuries while not making this league a no-checking league.

[LeaferSutherland]

.....I wouldn't mind that at all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hiding.gif)
Kidding, of course.

Either way, the trapezoid is just a stupid rule to begin with. I don't care if your team has a puck-playing goalie or not, they should be allowed to play the puck in the corners. Now, I'm not saying they should be allowed to go all over the ice with it (although seeing a goalie score on a one-timer would be awesome, I've seen a video of it on youtube of it happening somewhere in Europe...of course it was disallowed). This is one rule change that could cut down on injuries while not making this league a no-checking league.

I think it's effect on injuries taking place behind the net will prove to be negligable. For even before the trapezoid was instituted, defenders were still getting smashed into the end boards.

I would much prefer the NHL to look into the actual problem, rather than address rules that may help out with the odd situation. What can be done with players equipment and perhaps even the boards, stantions and glass that will allow us to carry on with our full contact sport without needing further gimmicks?

If guys in NASCAR can hit the wall at a much faster speed and walk away from the wreckage, why can't hockey players?

[Avsfreak18]

I think it's effect on injuries taking place behind the net will prove to be negligable. For even before the trapezoid was instituted, defenders were still getting smashed into the end boards.

I would much prefer the NHL to look into the actual problem, rather than address rules that may help out with the odd situation. What can be done with players equipment and perhaps even the boards, stantions and glass that will allow us to carry on with our full contact sport without needing further gimmicks?

If guys in NASCAR can hit the wall at a much faster speed and walk away from the wreckage, why can't hockey players?

Hockey players dont have a huge steel cage to be strapped into (IMG:style_emoticons/default/gap.gif)

[LeaferSutherland]

Hockey players dont have a huge steel cage to be strapped into (IMG:style_emoticons/default/gap.gif)

True. But these are two very dangerous sports that have no out of bounds. And while the NHL plays with various rule changes, NASCAR finds safer ways to race.

Not enough is being done for the safety of the player in the NHL. We just celebrated the 50th anniversary of the goaltender mask, but what has been done since? Helmets on players, visors, magnetic mourings, ...

More effort, research and technology seems to have been put into these "super sticks" that can artifically give players more velocity on their shots.

See anything wrong with that?

Too often have I heard the old cliche that players have lost this mythical respect for one another. And I think that is a complete cop out. The real disrespect here comes from the equipment manufacturers and those that continually approve them.

[Bean]

True. But these are two very dangerous sports that have no out of bounds. And while the NHL plays with various rule changes, NASCAR finds safer ways to race.

Not enough is being done for the safety of the player in the NHL. We just celebrated the 50th anniversary of the goaltender mask, but what has been done since? Helmets on players, visors, magnetic mourings, ...

More effort, research and technology seems to have been put into these "super sticks" that can artifically give players more velocity on their shots.

See anything wrong with that?

Too often have I heard the old cliche that players have lost this mythical respect for one another. And I think that is a complete cop out. The real disrespect here comes from the equipment manufacturers and those that continually approve them.

Well, you can't put a restrictor plate on a NHLer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bleh.gif)

Regarding the equipment manufacturers, while they make it, the NHL allows it. Maybe the NHL needs to step in an not allow the composite sticks that create some of that issue. Look at Baseball, they have not allowed aluminum bats because they know the danger in allowing their use.

[LeaferSutherland]

Well, you can't put a restrictor plate on a NHLer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bleh.gif)

Regarding the equipment manufacturers, while they make it, the NHL allows it. Maybe the NHL needs to step in an not allow the composite sticks that create some of that issue. Look at Baseball, they have not allowed aluminum bats because they know the danger in allowing their use.

I definitely agree with that. However, the use of these sticks and every other form of equipment always leads to a tug of war between the NHL and the PA. So the players are just as much to blame as the owners are.

[Avsfreak18]

True. But these are two very dangerous sports that have no out of bounds. And while the NHL plays with various rule changes, NASCAR finds safer ways to race.

Not enough is being done for the safety of the player in the NHL. We just celebrated the 50th anniversary of the goaltender mask, but what has been done since? Helmets on players, visors, magnetic mourings, ...

More effort, research and technology seems to have been put into these "super sticks" that can artifically give players more velocity on their shots.

See anything wrong with that?

Too often have I heard the old cliche that players have lost this mythical respect for one another. And I think that is a complete cop out. The real disrespect here comes from the equipment manufacturers and those that continually approve them.

the comish said it... nascar is a sport!


even though I think the comparison between the two is a stretch, I do agree that the equipment does need to be improved

one way to improve would be to let the boards have more of a cushion instead of just a wall