The league has made big changes to play in the last few offseasons, but this year they are looking at small changes.
The league GMs are hoping to make small tweaks that the casual fan wouldn’t notice.
The most notable change might be the implement of a second, yellow line inside the goal that would mark how far into the goal a puck has to go to be a goal. The line would help officials in Toronto make a decision on close calls that get reviewed.
Another change that could have a bigger impact is switching sides for OT so the teams have the long change which increases scoring. The GMs like this proposed rule because it would settle more games before the shootout which they feel is becoming to prevelant.
Another change they are trying out is the Hybrid Icing where the linesman can decide whether or not to blow the whistle to stop play before the puck is touched to protect defensemen going back for the touch up.
