Canucks' Rick Tocchet Gives His Thoughts On NHL's Possible Rule Changes
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet gave his thoughts on what the NHL is proposing as far as rule changes.
Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - Canucks' Rick Tocchet Gives His Thoughts On NHL's Possible Rule ChangesVancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet gave his thoughts on what the NHL is proposing as far as rule changes.
Today, reports said that the NHL is proposing multiple rule changes, many involving coaches' challenges.
"If a guy snaps his head and you don't touch his face, he should get the penalty," Tocchet said about high-sticking calls being challenged. "I think it was about three-four weeks ago [where] we had a couple of penalties against where [the stick] didn't hit the guy's face, and we got a penalty. That's the stuff that bothers me."
There was also talk of the NHL implementing a 'shot-clock' type rule for overtime, but it was reported that no changes would be made to 3 on 3.
"I think with the regroups, when you're in a three-on-three situation when guys don't like what they see, they want to pull it out. I don't blame them because you don't want to force a play," Tocchet explained. "You never saw that much, [but] now coaches are strategizing. They don't want you to lose the puck. It's more possession. So that's kind of why people now [say], they are starting slow the game. I just think it's strategy."
"There have been three or four goals where the puck [goes out of play] and hits the net. I think we need better cameras or something because there have been some goals. It happened to us, too, once. I couldn't review it because we didn't have the camera angle in time. I don't know; maybe it cost us. I'm not sure. I can't remember. It was a while ago."
A rule is being implemented tonight that involves players having one leg over the boards or their stick on the ice. Players will be warned once and then given a delay-of-game penalty if it happens again.
"I agree with that. It drives me nuts. I hate the sticks over the boards, too. There's no reason to have your leg over the boards. I agree with that."
The Canucks take on the Buffalo Sabres at 7 p.m. tonight.
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