It's not enforceable and is actually good defense that the rulebook allows. It's the last change I would like to see instituted.
- jfkst1

Shot blocking to the extent its done now is only been around for the past decade or so. Players jumping to the ground is the "easiest" way to stop a puck from reaching the net.

Playing good positioning or man to man/zone defense is "good defense"

Ever see the stats for shots on net and shot attempts? Its usually like 30 shots and 8 shot attempts. More shots...more goals

Eliminate any type of trapping system
- joescullz

No thanks. Basketball and all it's illegal defence rules puts too much power in the refs hands.

Hockey already has enough subjectivity in it, we don't need more. If they tried to institute it, they would need off-ice officials to enforce it cause we all know that the refs have a hard enough time calling the rules as they are, right now.

I like the equipment ideas.

All goalie equipment needs to be smaller. It's ridiculous how big goalies are now.

It's not only the pads, but their pants, chest protectors (which are absolutely ridiculous) and jersey sizes. Right now, pucks get caught up in goalies jerseys all the time. It's harder and harder to score goals between the arms and body. It's cause the jerseys get in the way.

Goalies should be forced to wear form-fitting jerseys, just like the players.

The bigger goalies like Bishop can just go down on their knees and throw their arms up in the air and they still cover most of the top of the net. In the past, goalies were reluctant to go down because it would leave a ton of room up top.

The whole reason why the 'butterfly' is successful for the majority of goalies is because of equipment. If we make the chest protector, jersey and pants smaller and thinner, goalies will be more reluctant to go down, which will change how they have to play and open up more holes for the shooters.

People who talk about making the net bigger don't seem to realize that goalies will just get bigger equipment to compensate. It may work for a couple years, but the goalies will catch up and we will be back in the same boat.
- Charliebox

Goalie pads today are also "convexed", so the rebounds don't occur as frequently and if they do, the pucks veer to the corner. The pads of the past were more "boxy" and shots hit the pads more flush and bounced back to front of net

No it isn't. Players slash all the time well above the ice level and on opponents without the puck. Subban's slash on Stone should have been a 5 game suspension minimum. That would eliminate almost all of those slashes. Anytime the stick comes parallel to the ice it is supposed to be called hooking. That never happens. Now players are constantly holding each other's sticks and kicking at the puck because the refs never call it.
- jfkst1

You use an extreme example of a dude who should have been suspended for a "non-hockey play" (you can point to Weber getting nothing for slamming Zetterberg's head into the glass as well) as a way to deter things from happening in the future?

You know what, it's been real, but I'm going to step away from this debate before I say something I really regret. Hope you guys enjoy your 20 PPs per game and 8-5 games. I'll enjoy a solid defensive scheme and players sacrificing their bodies to block shots while I can.

No thanks. Basketball and all it's illegal defence rules puts too much power in the refs hands.

Hockey already has enough subjectivity in it, we don't need more. If they tried to institute it, they would need off-ice officials to enforce it cause we all know that the refs have a hard enough time calling the rules as they are, right now.
- Charliebox

Just eliminate clutch and grab. Somebodys got his hand all over a players upper body or stick? penalty. thats it.

This guy's not a very good troll
- Dr3aMWeav3r

You must be new here.

Shot blocking to the extent its done now is only been around for the past decade or so. Players jumping to the ground is the "easiest" way to stop a puck from reaching the net.

Playing good positioning or man to man/zone defense is "good defense"

Ever see the stats for shots on net and shot attempts? Its usually like 30 shots and 8 shot attempts. More shots...more goals
- rrentz

Shot blocking has gotten far more prevalent. A result of better equipment technology. But it's not possible to enforce. Shots go all over the place and get deflected all the time. You can't reasonably punish teams for it.

You must be new here.
- jmatchett383

just teasing

OH-MY-GAWD-THE-NHL-HATES-THE-PENGUINS-AND-ONLY-EVER-CALLS-PENALTIES-AGAINST-THEM!!!OMGFML!!!
- jmatchett383

Are you trying to take the piss?

Just because you were internet beat up about denying Numb nuts Voracek jumped Scuds, no need to use capitals, lower case poop stirring is still very well accepted!

A question.

If the refs start allowing good players to play good, won't that paint a bigger target on their backs? What was the injury list back in the 'good ol days'?

You use an extreme example of a dude who should have been suspended for a "non-hockey play" (you can point to Weber getting nothing for slamming Zetterberg's head into the glass as well) as a way to deter things from happening in the future?

You know what, it's been real, but I'm going to step away from this debate before I say something I really regret. Hope you guys enjoy your 20 PPs per game and 8-5 games. I'll enjoy a solid defensive scheme and players sacrificing their bodies to block shots while I can.
- jmatchett383

It's not good defense. And it happens all the time without suspension. Look at McDonagh in game 1 punching Ovechkin in the head. Any other sport that would be a suspension. Every time one of the Rags dumped the puck in on Pittsburgh, slobs like Scuderi would just interfere with the forward and Fleury or the other dman would get the puck. Anyone can punch a player that is on their hands and knees or obstruct. It's a talentless ability.

How about this:
1) No icing allowed on PK
2) Team that ices the puck is still not allowed to change lines
3) When icing occurs substitute the following instead of a faceoff

Offensive team gets to place the puck anywhere they want on the offensive blue line

Players line up at any designated spot on the faceoff circles in the offensive zone (both teams) aside from one offensive player who shall take possession of the puck at the blue line.

Whistle blows to start play...offensive player with the puck can either skate with the puck or immediately blast a shot on goal.

The theory behind this is that faceoffs are essentially a 50/50 wash. This gives guaranteed possession back to the offensive team to create scoring chances.

Perhaps this only applies to icing that occurs from within the defensive zone or if no players are beyond the center line so as not to discourage stretch passes.

This would make powerplays substantially more effective and ramp up the intensity at the end of games as no team would dare ice the puck repeatedly in the last minute of play.

Are you trying to take the piss?

Just because you were internet beat up about denying Numb nuts Voracek jumped Scuds, no need to use capitals, lower case poop stirring is still very well accepted!
- Aussiepenguin

I feel that the lack of people using proper capitalization to start sentences or on proper nouns should be offset by improper capitalization of full thoughts.

And I get what you were saying, but it seemed you were vaguely hinting at a certain specific team as opposed to any random team. That narrative is old and tired.

How about this:
1) No icing allowed on PK
2) Team that ices the puck is still not allowed to change lines
3) When icing occurs substitute the following instead of a faceoff

Offensive team gets to place the puck anywhere they want on the offensive blue line

Players line up at any designated spot on the faceoff circles in the offensive zone (both teams) aside from one offensive player who shall take possession of the puck at the blue line.

Whistle blows to start play...offensive player with the puck can either skate with the puck or immediately blast a shot on goal.

The theory behind this is that faceoffs are essentially a 50/50 wash. This gives guaranteed possession back to the offensive team to create scoring chances.

Perhaps this only applies to icing that occurs from within the defensive zone or if no players are beyond the center line so as not to discourage stretch passes.

This would make powerplays substantially more effective and ramp up the intensity at the end of games as no team would dare ice the puck repeatedly in the last minute of play.
- Maskdman3

Yeah that'll go over great once someone accidentally bats a puck over the glass and get's one of those dogsh!t delay of game calls.

I feel that the lack of people using proper capitalization to start sentences or on proper nouns should be offset by improper capitalization of full thoughts.

And I get what you were saying, but it seemed you were vaguely hinting at a certain specific team as opposed to any random team. That narrative is old and tired.
- jmatchett383

Don't take any poop on here bro! Ha Ha you are entertaining this morning.

The suggestions in this blog are just getting silly. I can't say I'm innocent of it to the other extent, but Jesus Christ, let's try to show SOME restraint.

Limit the size of the goalies equipment! If u watch a Hockey game from the 80s, the goalies didn't take up nearly as much net and their was way more to shoot at because they had smaller equipment. Now every team has some 6'6 guy in there, with pads twice a wide as their bodies.

Banning shot blocking is the stupidest proposal I've ever heard! Sacrificing your body to get in front of the puck has been a noble play in hockey for 100s of years! Its part of a wingers defensive responsibilities. Penalizing players who play defence is not the answer. We celebrate guys like Gregory Campbell who broke his leg blocking a shot in a playoff game and got up and blocked another. Now you want to ban it because its limiting your excitement? If scorings is what you want I'd suggest watching basketball. Those of us who played the game at high levels can appreciate a good defensive effort and do not want to see it banned.

Just eliminate clutch and grab. Somebodys got his hand all over a players upper body or stick? penalty. thats it.
- Dr3aMWeav3r

Throwing them into the boards is still ok though - ala Doan & Letang?

Sarcasm font everyone don't kill me!

Don't take any poop on here bro! Ha Ha you are entertaining this morning.
- dbell646

I like most people on here when they just want to discuss most facets of the Penguins and hockey in general. But when anything pertaining to the rules and their enforcement comes around, the rivers of tears start flowing to the extent that I feel like building a huge ark and getting a male and female of every animal of Earth. Except spiders, they can drown.

I feel that the lack of people using proper capitalization to start sentences or on proper nouns should be offset by improper capitalization of full thoughts.

And I get what you were saying, but it seemed you were vaguely hinting at a certain specific team as opposed to any random team. That narrative is old and tired.
- jmatchett383

Now the sun may shine out of 66's arse but I in no way intended my comment to be Pens only penalties - I'm calling it all out.

I have a general question for the people complaining about the horrible, awful obstruction that is so prevalent in today's NHL:

If you really feel that it is so awful and makes the game boring, then why the hell do you still watch? Why waste hours of your life to watch and then discuss something you find so boring?

It's not good defense. And it happens all the time without suspension. Look at McDonagh in game 1 punching Ovechkin in the head. Any other sport that would be a suspension. Every time one of the Rags dumped the puck in on Pittsburgh, slobs like Scuderi would just interfere with the forward and Fleury or the other dman would get the puck. Anyone can punch a player that is on their hands and knees or obstruct. It's a talentless ability.
- jfkst1

These playoffs have been really frustrating for me from an interference perspective. Every time a player dumps a puck into the zone the D man obstructs them for a good 3 seconds.

Every team is guilty of it to a ridiculous degree because they are getting away with it.

Now the sun may shine out of 66's arse but I in no way intended my comment to be Pens only penalties - I'm calling it all out.
- Aussiepenguin

Okay, I just thought it was skewed that way due to some of the stuff that went on in March/April of this past season where it was a daily whine fest in here.

These playoffs have been really frustrating for me from an interference perspective. Every time a player dumps a puck into the zone the D man obstructs them for a good 3 seconds.

Every team is guilty of it to a ridiculous degree because they are getting away with it.
- Maskdman3

Very true. No wonder the sport will never gain popularity. If you watch the IIHF worlds and they don't allow any of that and it isn't only because of ice size. It's because the refs will call it. And the NHL players know that and adjust accordingly.

- Implement stricter line changing the outgoing players skates need to leave the ice before the incoming player touched down

-make it illegal to deliberately body slide along the ice in order to block a shot or a pass. Going down to a knee is ok