Inspired by the PWHL’s innovative rule book, announced New Year’s Day as the puck dropped on a historic new era for women’s hockey, it feels like as good a time as any to dive back into some rules changes I’d like the NHL to make.
I’ve written many times over the years on this topic, especially hammering the NHL’s points system. Forever I’ve argued to go to a 3-2-1-0 points system, and now the PWHL has wisely adopted just that.
“There actually wasn’t much debate as it relates to the point system,” PWHL hockey operations senior vice president Jayna Hefford told me Monday. “I think most all believe that a regulation win is worth more than an overtime/shootout win. Similarly with a loss.
“The cons that we discussed were that it can create a significant gap in the standings quickly, but I think the same can be said with closing the gap.”
More of my thoughts on that in a moment. Let’s dive into six rule changes I’d like to see:
Full two-minute power plays
I am intrigued by the PWHL’s rule tweak that sees a short-handed goal wipe out the end of the penalty being served. I want to see it play out this season in the PWHL to get a better feel for its impact, but my instinctual reaction is that I like it. What it does is reward skill.
In that spirit, I bring…
