| With the ratification of the Collective | | | | suspensions and a $10,000 fine to the |
| Bargaining Agreement completed, devoted fans | | | | instigating players' coach are manditory |
| of the game breathe a sigh of relief. With | | | | penalties. Fighting will always remain an |
| each new week that goes by, curiousity grows | | | | exciting part of hockey from a fan's |
| to see what effect the new rule changes will | | | | perspective, regardless of bleeding heart |
| do for the game, and the movement of players | | | | support to stop the act of throwing the |
| in all directions due to an implemented | | | | gloves off.5) Changes to the way linesmen |
| salary cap brings a very real excitement and | | | | approach icing will hopefully reduce the |
| anticipation for the upcoming 2005 NHL | | | | worrisome issue of dangerous end board |
| Season.The work and sacrifices that the | | | | collisions that occur during races for the |
| league, owners, and players have done to make | | | | puck.6) Goaltender padding will finally be |
| the new season a reality is to be commended. | | | | reduced. The days of seeing ridiculously |
| Gary Bettman, never with due appreciation it | | | | large equipement on goaltenders are over. |
| seems, has done a fantastic job at the helm | | | | Scoreboards will no doubt show the effects of |
| of the league for over a decade. Owners and | | | | this rule change.7) The elimination of tie |
| General Managers of teams such as the | | | | games due to the incorporation of a shootout |
| Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames now have | | | | is a welcome addition by most fans of the |
| the opportunity to compete, for the most | | | | game. A tie game at the end of regulation |
| part, on an equal playing field.A Summary of | | | | will be followed by a four-on-four five |
| Rule Changes for the 2005 NHL Season:1) The | | | | minute overtime, and then followed by a three |
| goal line will be moved two feet closer to | | | | man per team shootout if both teams are still |
| the end boards, and the blue lines moved two | | | | deadlocked. If still tied after this, then a |
| feet further away from the goal lines to give | | | | sudden death shootout will begin to produce a |
| an extra four feet in the offensive end. | | | | winning team. The winning team will receive |
| Tension during powerplays will increase for | | | | two points: the loser in overtime or a |
| the fans of short-handed teams.2) The red | | | | shootout one point; and the loser in |
| line will be disregarded for the two-line | | | | regulation zero points.A Summary of Player |
| pass rule, giving rise to a faster game and | | | | Movement:Mike Peca, Jeremy Roenick, Darian |
| more breakaway opportunities to watch.3) The | | | | Hatcher, Peter Forsberg, Tony Amonte, Paul |
| tag-up rule will give offensive players | | | | Kariya, Bobby Holik, Scott Niedermayer, |
| who've overshot the blue line into the | | | | Nikolai Khabibulin, Sergei Gonchar, Brian |
| opponents zone before the puck a chance to | | | | Leetch, Chris Pronger, Mike Rathje, Adam |
| circle back to the blue line and then | | | | Foote, Gary Roberts, and Joe Nieuwendyk are |
| continue back into the offensive zone to play | | | | but a few players who have moved on to new |
| the puck. This will reduce whistles for | | | | teams.The new Collective Bargaining |
| offside infractions; once again speeding up | | | | Agreement, all rule changes, and all player |
| the game.4) The instigator rule has changed | | | | movement can be viewed at Culley is an avid |
| to penalize fights started during the last | | | | fan of NHL hockey, and Vice President for |
| five minutes of the game. One game | | | | Inc. |