On July 22, 2005 the National Hockey League and it's Player's Association came to an agreement on a Collective Bargaining Agreement. Ending a 310 day lockout/work stoppage. Whatever you want to call it. Hockey is the only professional sport to miss an entire season due to League and Union being unable to reach an working agreement. The League getting what it wanted and needed. With the Union, basically bending over backwards. Showing their intelligence, holding out for less money. Anyways that's in the past and it's time to move forward.
I'm glad it's back. I never realized how much I missed it until this year. Once the NFL was done there was nothing to watch during the winter season. It will be nice to see how the Calgary Flames play. There's been alot of changes since the last season. It seems forever since they were in the Stanley Cup finals.
They also held the NHL lottery draft. With the Pittsburgh Penguins winning first pick overall. Which they will no doubt draft Sidney Crosby. I think it's poetic justice. Mario Lemieux will, hopefully, pass the torch on to this future superstar. However; I still not convinced until he plays a few seasons, with no injuries. The Calgary Flames pick 26th overall.
The NHL also unveiled a new logo. I don't mind the diagonal slashs around the letters. But the background with no orange highlights. I'm not so sure. It' s going to be a new league, with new rule changes. Back to tag up offsides. The red line is going to be removed. A shoot-out to decide games, if ited after overtime. They're restricting the goalies equipment size and the space they can handle the puck in. Obstruction is going to be called consistently. As the players are also going to make a conscious effort to stop the obstruction. There are also a few other minor changes which you can check out at www.nhl.com.
A lot of things are going to happen in a short period of time. Including the draft which I believe is on August 5th, but i'm not positive. The regular season begins on October 5th, 2005. Just over 2 months to sign free agents, release players, have the draft, training camp and it's game on. I can't wait.
About Me
- Dr.Clawmonkey
- Hussar, Alberta, Canada
- I am a fairly simple man. I enjoy sports, games, movies and watching people run for their lives.
Links
- CFL
- NFL
- PGA
- Calgary Stampeders
- Calgary Flames
- University of Calgary
- Tiger Woods
- The Score
- Schmunkman
- Friar Donk
- Zibby Dah (being held in a Red Chinese prison)
- Jingo (currently in 'The Pit of Despair')
- sabutai (forgot password)
- AUDIOSLAVE
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Elton John
- Bloodhound Gang
- Linkin Park
- Axis of Justice
- Grizzly Paw
3 comments:
Wow, a couple of the lesser publicized changes should be interesting too. How about the team that ices the puck CANNOT MAKE A LINE CHANGE FOR THE ENSUING FACE-OFF! That's huge! It will definitely cut down on the icings. Coaches will be fined 10,000$ for any of their players instigating a scrap in the last five minutes. Uh-oh, there goes 30% of Pat Quinn's playbook. If there is one thing I am looking forward to this season is the ritual of the past few springs...Watching Philly pimpslap the Maple Buds out of the playoffs. Man o Man I hate them Maple Buds.
Even though I welcome hockey back, I am not as excited as perhaps I should be. All the rule changes are nice but the fact still remains that there are too many teams in the NHL, which means the talent pool is overdrawn. Theres about 700 players in the NHL when 15-20 years ago 300 of 'em wouldn't be able to get out of the AHL. Bottom line, to make hockey the exciting game it once was the "checkers" of the league need to be trimmed, or else the holding and Trapping will continue. I nominate the following franchises for demotion to the minors.
1. Nashville
2. Atlanta
3. Carolina
4. Phoenix
5. Anahiem
6. Florida
7. Columbus
8. Dallas ( but the Stars name & jersey go to Minni)
Notice a pattern? yeah...If your lakes don't freeze in winter, you get no Hockey team! Go watch NASCAR or something...Oh what's that? you already do? OK no hard feelings then.
Then all these teams talent goes into a mini dispersement draft and the unpicked ones go to the minors as well as the deadweight cut from the drafting teams to make room on their roster. Then we would see some hockey!
What if you dump it down the ice . But before the whistle blows for icing. 2 guys change. Is that possible? I'm sure there's got to be aloop hole.
I dunno Monkey, I'm just reading the rules as they appear on the NHL rules link you posted.
Post a Comment