Intent

Execution

No time-outs granted for the defensive team following an icing call. Defensive team must remain on ice.

I get it.  Requiring the penalty killers to stay on ice while letting those on the power play bring in fresh troops should lead to more scoring. Doubtful that the refs ever blew this type of call.

If a team on a power play high-sticks the puck, the face-off location remained the same regardless of the man advantage.

Previously, a team on the PP that played a puck after it was high-sticked had the faceoff come all the way back to their defensive end. This past season, if the team on the PP played a puck after it was high-sticked in the offensive zone, the ensuing faceoff took place in the neutral zone next to the defending team’s blue line. I am ok with the intent to increase scoring, Besides, the refs got it right most of the time

If a team challengedthat a goal was offside and loses the challenge – meaning the play was “on-side”- the challenging team received a two-minute delay of game penalty.

Let the boys play. I question the wisdom of allowing offsides to be challenged in any circumstance. Too much time was spent determining whether or not a player’s skate was a millimeter off the ice. Refs are there to earn their salaries. And their human frailties are part the game. Besides, even upon further review, the refs still managed to get it wrong on several occasions.

Referees more strictly enforced slashing rule to reduce hand injuries.

In some sports, there are good “no-calls.” But hockey has its shares of ticky-tack calls. Allow the refs to use judgment as to whether a player slashed an opponent’s hand with intent to injure. Otherwise a slight love tap on the gloved hand is just part of the game.

Stricter enforcement of face-off positioning to increase safety of players and officials

Players taking the draw should have their feet within the limits of the markings by the dot and not inside of, or touching them. Over the years, the NHL has been lax in how it enforced this rule, Particularly at the start of the season, we saw a plethora of penalties leading  to confusion from fans, players, coaches and executives. “Cheating” during the draw is fair as long as both teams seek a face off advantage. Plus, I am tired of seeing the linesmen eject players from the circle for a minor technicality. Let ‘em play.