[Travis]

Source -- tsn.ca

HENDERSON, Nev. (CP) - In what could turn out to be an historic day in NHL history, the league's 30 general managers agreed to several major rule changes Tuesday.

``A couple of these differences will make a major difference to the way the game is played,'' New York Islanders GM Mike Milbury said as the day-long meeting ended.

The GMs' suggestions will be further re-examined at another GMs meeting in the spring, and then that package will be looked at this summer by a blue-ribbon panel of hockey experts including coaches, players, media and some GMs.

Then the end package must be approved by the league's owners at a Board of Governors' meeting in late summer.

``We think these are refinements,'' said league commissioner Gary Bettman. ``They should add offence to the game.''

Among the changes the GMs will recommend:

_ Goalies can no longer handle the puck behind the back-end red line (behind the net);

``The original thought right now is that if the puck is behind the line and the goalie touches it, it's a two-minute penalty,'' said Bettman.

- The width of goalie pads will be reduced to 10 inches from the current limit of 12 inches; also, the league's head office will act as a clearing house for goalie's equipment before they can wear it;

- The nets will be brought back to 10 feet from the back boards from the current 13 feet;

- The tag-up offsides will be brought back;

``The sense in the room is that the tag-up offsides will lead to less whistles,'' said Bettman.

- AHL will try out three points being awarded for a victory in regulation time with NHL possibly going to that format in 2005-06 if it works well in the minors; that would also include two points for an overtime win, it may also include two points for a penalty shootout win.

``We'd like to provide an incentive for teams to win in regulation,'' Bettman said.

- The AHL will also be asked to try out the so-called ``fat lines'' of both blue-lines and the centre red line next season. But they will be 24 inches instead of the 36 inches tried out this year in the AHL. They're currently 12 inches wide in the NHL.

Responding to low-scoring games and dwindling attendance in some markets, the NHL's GMs didn't hold back when given a mandate by Bettman to find ways to open up the game.

``Yes, it is quite a bit,'' said Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford.

There are also two changes that will go into effect as soon as this week, a clarification of the rule for the penalty shot and a clarification of the rule regarding goals scored when the net is slightly off - those goals will now count.

Legendary coach Scotty Bowman took part in the decision-making Tuesday.

``They're asking me as a coach what I would do in certain situations and since I'm not active anymore I can give an unbiased opinion on that,'' Bowman said.

There were other issues that didn't make the cut.

``With respect to bigger nets, it was discussed, but we decided it wasn't worth doing now,'' Bettman said.

St. Louis Blues defenceman Al MacInnis, invited by the league to take part, pushed hard for no-touch icing, an issue close to his heart after suffering a near-career ending injury earlier in his career rushing to a puck on an icing play.

But the league at this point won't go to the no-touch icing, which is in use in international hockey.

``There wasn't quite enough interest on no-touch icing to bring it to the threshold of a rule change but we'll keep it in mind because we know the concerns of the players,'' Bettman said.

[Jlg-28]

bout time the brought back the tag-up rule , I like these changes as they are , and i would try them all out in the AHL before i made them officaly with the exception of the goalie pads.

[eleven24]

Personally, I think not allowing the goalies to handle the puck is a HORRIBLE rule. What's next? Quick skating defensemen can't go into the offensive end? I say let them to whatever they want, but if they go out of the crease, they can be hit.

The NHL makes itself out to be bush league when they keep flip-flopping the rules back and forth (move the net in, move it out... no tag up offsides, tag up offsides)

The reason the scoring is down is simple: the talent is so watered down because of expansion. There are TOO MANY teams with players who have no right being in the NHL.

If they want to bring back scoring/excitement, all they need to do is this:

1) Eliminate the 2-line pass. This destroys the trap, and wipes out a lot of clutching and grabbing.

2) Actually call the obstruction.

3) Widen the rink. It will never happen from a season ticket perspective as seats would be removed... but wider ice = more room for talented players.

4) No game ends in a tie. Go regulation... 5 minute OT... then shootout until a winner is decided.

5) Publicly hang Kevin Collins.