Report: GMs will discuss two major changes to NHL rules.

Two huge changes could be on their way.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 8 years ago
Report: GMs will discuss two major changes to NHL rules.

According to some of the best insiders in the business it sounds like there are some serious topics of discussion coming up at the next National Hockey League general manager's meeting.

First according to comments from ESPN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun during TSN's Insider Trading segment, one general manager has floated an idea to him, and honestly it sounds like a pretty good one to us. The GMs idea is one that would cut down on frivolous challenge's made late in the game by NHL head coaches, he has proposed teams receive a two minute minor penalty for delay of game in the event that their challenge has failed and been ruled a good call on the ice.

The second proposed change has the support of no less than three NHL GMs and is one likely to make a lot of fans very unhappy. Those three GMs are proposing that rule regarding hits to the head be change, this is the current language for rule 48.1.

A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable is not permitted.

They want the language changed, removing the part that says "and such contact to the head was avoidable" effectively rendering any and all contact to the head immediately illegal regardless of context or circumstances. While I certainly understand the rational behind this, and I can understand how it would benefit player safety, this sounds like it could seriously impact hitting in the game, something that has already taken a big hit, pardon the pun.

For anyone curious the three GMs proposing this rule change have all lost players after hits to the head this season, they are Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Chevaldayoff, Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon, and Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen.

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