Breaking: NHL GM’s approve significant powerplay rule changes for 2019-20

According to a report from NHL insider Frank Seravalli of TSN, there could be significant rule change for the 2019-20 NHL season. 

The proposed rule would enable coaches to choose which side of the ice they’d like for offensive zone face-offs as a result of an opponent’s penalty. In other words, a coach can decide which circle to use for a powerplay opening face-off.

Check it out:

The Ovechkin example is obvious, but there’s no doubt that other teams could also use this to their advantage. Imagine any other team with a sniper on the wing like Nikita Kucherov, Leon Draisaitl, Patrick Kane, Brock Boeser or Phil Kessel. Teams could also elect to line up away from a top defensive player or to get a face-off specialist on his weak side.

Interesting idea. Personally, I’m not sure it’ll have much of an impact on the game and so long as it doesn’t prolong the time between play, I’m all for it.