AHL Rule Changes

I was just reading about some of the rule changes for the upcoming AHL
season. I've heard the AHL is a testbed for the rules before they're put
into the NHL. Here are some of them. Any opinions on them?

1. No touch icing
2. Tag-up offsides
3. Shootout to decide regular season games after the 5-minute OT
4. Goalie pads down to 10" from 12".

I also read that the first seven weeks of the season will test a rule that
works at "restricting the areas where goaltenders may play the puck."
Presumably meaning the goalie can't go behind the net. I think most of the
rule changes will help make the game more interesting, but I don't see why a
goalie shouldn't be able to play the puck.

Crimson* wrote:

> I was just reading about some of the rule changes for the upcoming AHL
> season. I've heard the AHL is a testbed for the rules before they're put
> into the NHL. Here are some of them. Any opinions on them?
>
> 1. No touch icing
>

Don't like it. An offensive player who outhustles the defense to the puck should
be rewarded.

> 2. Tag-up offsides

Great move.


> 3. Shootout to decide regular season games after the 5-minute OT

Why not rock-paper-scissors? Dumb.


>
> 4. Goalie pads down to 10" from 12".

Good move.

>
>
> I also read that the first seven weeks of the season will test a rule that
> works at "restricting the areas where goaltenders may play the puck."
> Presumably meaning the goalie can't go behind the net. I think most of the
> rule changes will help make the game more interesting, but I don't see why a
> goalie shouldn't be able to play the puck.

I agree with you on this one.