Here come the Hawks!

We are less than a week away from training camp. That will start on the 19^th and open to the public at Notre Dame on the 20. The Hawks return to the UC on the 22^nd for their training camp festival and will open pre-season at the Joe on the 23^rd.

With the return of some cooler weather I donned my Duncan Keith jersey yesterday. Looking forward to picking up his bobblehead at training camp.

Also, I will also be on twitter this year! Find me

@jimsbhb

That’s Jim’s Blackhawks Blog. I will be tweeting out information as it becomes available. Much from our beloved beat writers (which I will retweet). Following me you will not be getting multiple tweets on the same topic. I will consolidate these for you. During games I will be also following the beats from the other teams to provide that perspective. So keep up with the Hawks live by following me now.

While we wait for Bowman to make a decision on how the Hawks will duck the cap, let’s look at some rule changes that were currently announced. Shorter and more frequent posts will start next weekend. #NHLwithdrawal

Rule 1.8 – Rink - Goalkeeper's Restricted Area

The trapezoid will be expanded by two feet from the goal post on both sides of the net.

-          I personally this the whole restrictive zone is stupid to start with, but at least the net minders will now have a little more room to play the puck.

Rule 23 – Game Misconduct Penalties

Clipping, charging, elbowing, interference, kneeing, head-butting and butt-ending move from the general category into the same category as boarding and checking from behind ("Physical Fouls"), whereby a player who incurs two such game misconducts in this category would now be automatically suspended for one game.

-          What? Interference? These interference penalty rules are just out of hand! As a form D-man I really hate the way they are calling these. It reduces the defenses mobility trying to get to the player with the puck. In essence, it makes it easier for the offense to set a pick, of sorts, by skating into a zone to prevent the defense from moving around. Stupid.

Rule 24 – Penalty Shot

The 'Spin-O-Rama' move will no longer be permitted either in Penalty Shot situations or in the Shootout.

-          Hmmm, I think I only remember Toews trying this once. Kane has never used the technique.

Rule 38 – Video Goal Judge

Rule 38.4 (viii) has been modified to allow broader discretion to Hockey Operations to assist the referees in determining the legitimacy of all potential goals …

In reviewing "Kicked in Goals," Hockey Operations will require more demonstrable video evidence of a "distinct kicking motion" in order to overrule a "goal" call on the ice, or to uphold a "no goal" call on the ice.

-          I am on the fence with this change. I will have to see how this plays out during the season. I would prefer less league intervention on the play which makes the “kicking” review favorable but I am concerned about how much they may influence the referees’ calls on the ice.

Rule 57 – Tripping

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.)

-          That’s a lot to think about. So if dive to get the puck and miss, there could be a penalty show. But if you DO get to the puck first, only 2 minutes. Will this change the way D-men attack the puck on the break-away? Time will tell.

Rule 64 – Diving / Embellishment

The supplementary discipline penalties associated with Rule 64.3 (Diving/Embellishment) will be revised to bring attention to and more seriously penalize players (and teams)…

-          Anyone who watched Eastern Conference playoff games last year will know why we have these new rules. Now we need the refs to start making these calls more appropriately. With the new rule both players and coaches can be fined. Love it.

Rule 76 – Face-offs

To curb delay tactics on face-offs after icing infractions, in situations where the defending team is guilty of a face-off violation, following an icing, the defending player who is initially lined up for the face-off will be given a warning, but will be required to remain in the circle to take the face-off. A second face-off violation by the defending team in such situation will result in a two minute minor bench penalty.

-          This will be interesting. So much subjectivity in these calls. I think linesmen call infractions way too often. This will make it more difficult to win a face off in your own zone after an icing call. I know what they are trying to accomplish but I am not sure this is the answer.

Rule 84 – Overtime

Teams will switch ends prior to the start of overtime in the regular season.

The entire ice surface will undergo a "dry scrape" prior to the start of overtime in the regular season.

The procedure requiring the head coach to submit a list of the first three shooters in the shoot-out has been eliminated.

-          Ho Hum…

Rule 85 – Puck Out of Bounds

There have been further rule changes made relating to face-off location to avoid penalizing teams for plays intended to create bona fide scoring opportunities.

-          In essence this rule will keep the face-off in the offensive zone in cases where the offense unintentionally causes the puck to go out of play. The league FINALLY gets this one right.

Rule 1.9 – Rink – Face-off Spots and Circles – Ice Markings/Hash Marks

The hash marks at the end zone circles will be moved from three feet apart to five feet, seven inches apart (international markings).

-          This rule is pending a vote by the NHLPA and won’t become effective until next season. So teams, now need to worry about melting the ice and re-painting, LOL. I kinda like watching the jousting before a face off. This will make that a bit more difficult.