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Get Rid Of The Trapezoid?
by Paul on 11/10/09 at 03:22 PM ET
Comments (11)
from Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice,
Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur is among those hoping the NHL general managers decide at their meetings over the next two days to remove the trapezoid behind the nets.
The trapezoid was implemented in the NHL following the 2004-05 lockout to limit the goaltenders from handling the puck in the corners behind the net. It begins at the goal line with angled lines six feet from each goal post and widens to 28 feet at the end boards.
Former Flyers general manager Bobby Clarke was one of the leaders in getting the trapezoid implemented. It was commonly known as the “Martin Brodeur rule” because it was clearly aimed at the Devils netiminder, who was one of the best at getting behind the net to handle the puck.
But, now general managers are looking for ways to cut down on the number of injuries on defensemen who are being hit hard by forechecking fowards.
added 5:01pm, via Darren Dreger’s Twitter,
NHL gm’s discussed removal of the trapezoid, but have decided to leave it in.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New Jersey Devils, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Martin+Brodeur,
Comments
I’ve said it a million times and will say it again. The trapezoid is by far the dumbest rule addition there was. Horrible. They better get rid of it. I really don’t understand how the rule gained enough support to actually be implemented. It sucks it’s taking injuries to get it readdressed, but at least there’s enough justification for these guys to retract it.
Posted by perfection from LaLaLand on 11/10/09 at 04:02 PM ET
get rid of it plz
Posted by some kid from brooklyn on 11/10/09 at 04:07 PM ET
can we get rid of the shootout at the end of overtime or make ot longer because teams aren’t playing in ot anymore.
Posted by FlyersFan on 11/10/09 at 04:18 PM ET
man… are gm’s stupid??? what is their deal? what on earth is the advantage to keeping the stupid rule?
Posted by perfection from LaLaLand on 11/10/09 at 05:31 PM ET
Without the trapezoid, goalies almost kill the forecheck. Once Brodeur started to wander towards the corner, it was almost like a free out. To me, it killed the flow of the game. Sure, some goalies sucked at handling the puck, but the fluke goal every now and then was not enough make up for the way it effected the game.
I agree with Kevin when he says let the goalies play the puck but let them be fair game to being hit, and that there are rules in place to stop hitting from behind and charging. Make both of those instant game misconducts and it will slow them down.
Posted by dip on 11/10/09 at 05:43 PM ET
Without the trapezoid, goalies almost kill the forecheck. Once Brodeur started to wander towards the corner, it was almost like a free out. To me, it killed the flow of the game. Sure, some goalies sucked at handling the puck, but the fluke goal every now and then was not enough make up for the way it effected the game.
I totally disagree. Hockey is a game of skill and if a goalie is skilled enough to play the puck so be it. I don’t see where the game “flows” when players are being injured by the forecheck. These players have families like we all do. Safety should be the main priority of the league. It’s bad enough to have players get injured while playing but it’s far worse when it’s preventable.
Posted by calquake on 11/10/09 at 06:21 PM ET
Keep it, for all the reasons already stated.
Goalies were absolutely killing the forecheck, and the game was more boring for it.
And if we can’t keep the trapezoid, then all goalies should be fair game for contact behind the goal line.
I’m sick of protecting those sissies and continually doign things to make their lives easier.
Posted by Primis on 11/11/09 at 08:58 AM ET
A good decision to keep it, the rule changes after the lockout have created the best hockey in years! We don’t need goalies as an extra defense passing the puck up. Stay in the crease!
Posted by Timbits on 11/11/09 at 11:39 AM ET
As much as I agree with the statement of hockey as a skill sport, I don’t think the goalies need any additional advantage, in fact, the evolution of the position has adversely effected the sport.
Football constantly tweaks its game to better itself. You can argue which things have been improvements and which haven’t, but they change to attempt to balance trends in the sport.
Even baseball, which is as static as it comes (aside from the whole HGH issue) lowered its pitching mound by 1/3 in 1969. I love a good pitching duel, but would the sport be better if most games were 1-0 or 2-1 because batters couldn’t solve the pitchers? Between the increased athleticism, improved technique, growth in the pad sizes, and the ability to skate out and play the puck, the goalies dominated the game. There are other ways to protect the d-men.
Posted by dip on 11/11/09 at 01:07 PM ET
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Some of these “issues” in the NHL are a joke. First of all, no hitting from behind I believe is already a rule and if enforced will get rid of head shots along the boards….Secondly, Let the goalies play the puck..BUT YOU CAN HIT THEM. When did they start putting dresses on goalies. In the old days there was never an issue hitting a goalie who was wandering out of his crease….Finally, keep the helmets on during a fight. If they come off stop the fight. Could it be any more simple? Are Canadians that dumb?
Posted by kevin from boston on 11/10/09 at 04:00 PM ET