New Rules -- A Tale of Two Razors - Part I

The list of new rules is intended to "open up the game" and "put the game back in the hands of our skilled players." Well that could be the result, or they could have a different, dark and menacing effect on the game.

Here's a look at the changes and some prophecies as to their positive or negative impact from the perspective of the Two Razors.

Icing... Linesmen can now waive off icing if it results from a legitimate attempted pass (as opposed to an illegitimate pass I suppose?) and also, the team that iced the puck will not be permitted to change players.

Ethereal Razor: Plenty of extended, continuous play. Tired players make tired mistakes that result in goals scored.

Dark Razor: Does the NHL not consider that their games are televised due to commercial time sold, and that a continuous game doesn't allow for commercial breaks?

Offside... The two-line offside pass will now be allowed by ignoring the redline, and players may "tag-up" (get back onside) to nullify an offside at the opposing team's blueline.

ER: No redline will lead to long "home-run" passes, stretching the defensive players positioning, leading to breakaways, scoring opportunities, and better all around flow. It's the new NHL's "Trap Buster". The tag-up rule will negate the stupid marginal offside calls and will keep the game moving more continuously.

DR: All the removal of the redline will do is back the trap up from the redline to the defensive blueline. Teams will now employ a player staggering system called a 1-3-1. Larry Robinson, coach of the NJ Devils said so on a show called Off The Record on TSN in Canada. A 1-3-1 will make the old 1-2-2 look like a buzz-saw of forechecking activity. If you want an example get a tape of the German National team at the Olympics and a large supply of Redbull. The tag-up rule was in place before but the NHL felt it was creating a game where d-men just smoked pucks into the other team's zone without any thought or playmaking ability. It was a panic-stricken, cement-hands defenseman's best friend. So if you want more Karl Concretehandsons and fewer Sergei Zubovs this is your retro-rule.

Delay of Game... A two-minute penalty to any defensive player who shoots the puck directly over the glass in his own zone, and, a two-minute penalty to a goalie who plays the puck outside the designated area behind the goal-line.

DR: Fans will no longer get to enjoy having a frozen hunk of vulcanized rubber smack them in the chest or cheek as they sip on a beverage while conversing with the person next to them, oblivious to the game's ongoing drama. As for goalie wandering, watch for the smart targets moving their puck handling prowess forward of the goal-line making the rule change all but moot. (The league actually made this easier for them by moving the goal-lines 2 feet toward the end boards)

Shootout... Games still tied after a 5-minute overtime period in which the teams play 4 skaters a side will be decide in a shootout which begins with 3 shooters per team. If the score remains tied after the 3 players have gone it goes to sudden death.

ER: No more tie games!!!!!!!!! It is apparently a bigger deal in the U.S. than in Canada. I guess most American fans want a winner (except those in the hills of Tennessee who actually enjoy a "sister kisser") while those north of the border are o.k. with a tryer? Beyond that, the excitement should be a grand pay-off for those who stuck with the game for 3 hours.

DR: As I stated in my article for foxsports.com, I don't care for the idea that we will make you slog through 3 periods of hockey, 2 intermissions, and then 5 minutes of slightly tricked-up hockey before we unleash the mother of all endings...the shootout. Soccer has this format to end ties but they also have penalty kicks during the game. I wish the NHL would think of a way to implement penalty shots into the actual game.