The NHL's New Rules and Their Effect on the Game

The NHL's new rules were all about harnessing the skill that players in the NHL possess. This skill includes the speed of the game, the pinpoint shots, and the wide open hockey that the NHL should be. The NHL did everything right with the rules, and this has created a much better game not only to play, but also to watch.

The bulk of the new rules in the NHL were designed to increase scoring. Everyone knows that with more scoring, along with more exciting goals, more people will tune in to watch. It's no secret that hockey was and still is struggling for viewers. With these new rules a new fan base has been brought in and is still growing. Some of these rules that I keep talking about include the attempt at eliminating obstruction. Obstruction is when the defense stops the offensive player or impedes his path to the puck. Before the new rules were in place there was too much of this, which slowed down the game. Now anytime a player impedes another player's path to the puck it is called a penalty. This is extremely evident in the new sensitivity in hooking calls. Now anytime a player's stick touches the midsection of an opponent, it is supposed to be called a penalty.

Another addition or better yet subtraction to increase scoring was a reduction in the equipment size of goaltenders. While the subtraction was a negligible percentage, it was still something to give shooters more to shoot at. With more to shoot at there will be more goals, which contribute to the overall goal.

One of the more popular additions to the game was the use of a shootout to determine games. Everyone loves an exciting one on one with the goalie, and with the potential for a shootout in every game, this addition once again draws in more fans. The shootout is exactly like a penalty shot, instead each team gets three shooters. The team with more goals after all the shooters have gone wins. If there is still a tie the shootout continues one player at a time until a winner is crowned. A shootout is an exciting way to draw in fans, and has done just that.

One of the final things that the NHL put into place was a revised salary cap. This salary cap allows every team the ability to compete for the Stanley Cup every year. With this more team can now compete, and bring in more fans, because if your team is making a run for the cup, you're going to want to watch. In hindsight making a salary cap has led to more fans.

The NHL has done everything right in the attempt to revise, and bring new fans to the NHL. The new rules allow for more scoring in a more wide open, fast paced game. If the speed and addition of goals does not excite the casual fan then maybe the addition of the shootout will.