Forever_Habs10 Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 The National Hockey League's 30 general managers begin three days of meetings Monday in Boca Raton, Fla., to discuss the state of the game. Several topics concerning player safety are expected to be on the agenda, including an update on the League's concussion monitoring and a briefing on the supplemental discipline process. Also expected to be discussed at some point is the possible reintroduction of the red line and proposals to streamline player equipment. Discussions about modifying or removing the trapezoid that governs a goalie's ability to play the puck, a move to hybrid icing and potential modifications to the current 4-on-4 overtime procedure also may be discussed. "We're talking about player safety and our greatest asset is our players, so we need to do what we can to protect them," Penguins GM Ray Shero told NHL.com. "That's why we have these meetings, to talk about these things. All these things are worthy for discussion, but we're not trying to revolutionize the game here." During these meetings, the GMs will break into discussion groups to discuss items on the agenda and then reconvene as a full group to discuss whether they want to make any recommendations to the League's Competition Committee. If a recommendation is accepted by the Competition Committee, it will go to the League's Board of Governors for adoption proceedings. One of the biggest issues could be the reintroduction of the center-ice red line. The ban on two-line passes was lifted after the work stoppage as part of a package of rules designed to open the game offensively. But after seven years, managers have differing opinions about the initiative. Some managers believe there is a correlation between player safety and re-introducing the red line. "It's something we have to look at, the impact it is having on teams and injuries; what is best for the game," Florida GM Dale Tallon told NHL.com. "We need to discuss it. I don't think it has been discussed that often. It's been a body of work since the last (collective bargaining agreement) and maybe it is time to take a look to see if there is a benefit or not. We have to be careful, but I think it's a good conversation piece." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forever_Habs10 Posted March 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 I personally have nothing against trying out/bringing in no-touch icing....for player safety. Makes sense to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forever_Habs10 Posted March 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 Hybrid icing earns GM recommendation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinnipegJet Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 I'm not sure I follow the GMs on how hybrid icing will make things safer. The idea behind hybrid icing, to my understanding at least, is apparently that it allows the refs to use discretion and blow some plays as no-touch icing if there is no contest. This makes sense in terms of speeding the game up (although I don't think that needs to be done), but it will still allow for close races to play out as regular icing. It is those close races that causes the danger, not the clear-cut icing calls. So maybe I'm missing something here? I see it causing a big issue in that I think we'll be seeing more players manipulate icing; dogging it to get back to make it look like they can't reach the puck, etc. As it is, I've seen more this season than ever before. I would hate for this to get any worse than it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forever_Habs10 Posted March 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 I'm not sure I follow the GMs on how hybrid icing will make things safer. The idea behind hybrid icing, to my understanding at least, is apparently that it allows the refs to use discretion and blow some plays as no-touch icing if there is no contest. This makes sense in terms of speeding the game up (although I don't think that needs to be done), but it will still allow for close races to play out as regular icing. It is those close races that causes the danger, not the clear-cut icing calls. So maybe I'm missing something here? I see it causing a big issue in that I think we'll be seeing more players manipulate icing; dogging it to get back to make it look like they can't reach the puck, etc. As it is, I've seen more this season than ever before. I would hate for this to get any worse than it is. yea,from hearing about hydrid icing....it appears to me it'll be a very grey area created for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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