NHL rule changes for 2014-15: More trapezoid, no spin-o-rama, please stop diving

The changes will go into effect for the 2014-15 season. Here’s a rundown:

“The trapezoid will be expanded by two feet from the goal post on both sides of the net,” the league says. The trapezoid rule, also known as Rule 1.8 in the NHL rulebook, was introduced after the 2004-05 lockout. Brodeur, a phenomenal puck-handling goaltender, was one of the chief reasons for the introduction of the rule as the NHL tried to cut down on goalies leaving their crease to stop dump-ins in the corners.

Really, this would benefit puck-handling goalies like Brodeur, as it gives goaltenders more room to handle the puck.

Previously, NHL teams didn’t switch ends before overtime in the regular season. That’ll change in 2014-15, meaning teams have the dreaded “long change” in the OT period, just as they do in the second period. Presumably this will lead to a few more breakaways and blown line changes in the 4-on-4 OT period. That’ll be fun.

Other OT changes: Teams don’t need to submit their list of three players to the officials before shootouts, and the entire ice will undergo a dry scrape by the Zamboni before OT.

This seems a little silly since it’s not used all that much, and it’s a SportsCentre-level highlight every time it happens, but the NHL has outlawed the spin-o-rama move in shootouts and penalty shots. Goalies don’t like it, though, since it can be hard to track the puck.

From the NHL, here are some changes to the tripping rule as related to diving and embellishment:

The rule relating to “Tripping” will be revised to specifically provide that a two minute minor penalty will be assessed when a defending player “dives” and trips an attacking player with his body/arm/shoulder, regardless of whether the defending player is able to make initial contact with the puck.

But, in situations where a penalty shot might otherwise be appropriate, if the defending player “dives” and touches the puck first (before the trip), no penalty shot will be awarded. (In such cases, the resulting penalty will be limited to a two-minute minor penalty for tripping.)

In addition to that change, the NHL is implementing fines for both players and coaches who are repeat offenders when it comes to diving and embellishment. As follows:

We all know about how the same defending players must remain on the ice after an icing call, which leads to tired players and, ideally, less icing infractions. But teams currently use every trick in the book to delay the ensuing face off, giving themselves a chance to get some rest before play resumes. The NHL is eliminating one of those tricks.

Starting in 2014-15, if the defending player in a face off commits a face off violation after an icing call, he’ll be given a warning but will be forced to stay in the face off circle. Previously, players would commit a violation and then would be replaced by another player, who would take his sweet ole time getting set for the face off. No longer. If there’s a second face off violation by the defending player, the team will receive a two-minute bench minor penalty.

A few others...