Viewpoint

montreal does not need to trade ryder or higgens Don;t forget ryder was a big part of the history making game the other night;without hossa ;montreal will be STANLEY CUP WINNERS 2008

I think Larry V has a good idea, but I think he has the structure backward, If a loss in OT gets no points, but a shootout loss gets a point, then teams will play defense like sons-of-guns to get to the shootout.
Let's reverse the points allocation. A guaranteed safety-net point for an OT loss, with the possibility of getting no points at all in a shootout, will make both teams fight the harder for the victory in OT, to avoid the unpredictable shootout.

MArk Tinordi had his career ended by no touch icing....

Here's an idea, the team that ices the puck cannot change lines or retreive the puck until the other team carries it out past centre ice. No stoppage in play and the team that ices the puck is penalized somewhat by being denied puck possession.

if Montreal trades anyone aside from Muller for Hossa I will quit, eat my hat and cheer for the leafs. The team doesn't need a guy who can't perform with more minutes and less pressure than he's going to experience in Montreal. And after waiting almost 15 years for a bonafide player to come up through their system their going to trade Higgins for Hossa? Gainey has done great work to this point for my beloved Habs and would completely undermine his credibility if this move takes place.

What a waste of time, but alas the GM's had a chance to play golf and sunbathe. The result of this nonsense, I hope you are seated, in the playoffs the home team gets to choose what colour uniform they can wear! This may jolt the earth off of its axis. Glad to see Bettman has been brainstorming, again.

i think the points system in overtime should be changed. if a team scores in overtime(sudden-death that team gets 2 points and the loosing team gets zero points (thats what sudden death is all about) if there is a tie after the overtime period and a shoot out determines the outcome - the winning team gets 2 points and only then the loosing team gets 1 point. this way it would put a little more interest and effort in winning sudden death.

I agree with no touch icing but lets get focused here, its not guys like Crosby or Ovechkin, (forwards) who are at risk here, its mostly the defenceman on the receiving end of the crunch.

If the NHL wants to speed up the game and make it more exciting and probably increase scoring make it a penalty shot when a goalie freezes the puck outside the goalie crease.
Penalize him and see more excitement.

Keep the shootout, but make all games worth 3 points. Go to 3 points for a regulation win and 2 points for a shootout win, 1 point for a shootout loss.

If Crosby gets hurt trying to cancel an icing call, you'll see that rule change by iron fist within a couple of hours.

Drew in Oakville: Pat Peake's career ended on a "touch icing" play. He's had 10-12 surgeries on his foot and ankle and still walks with a limp.

come on you guys, hockey waz meant to be played with rough and tough guys. now we don't want to fight or go touch da puck when it is iced. next we will want drug testing. who cares, it looks like ice dancing anyways, maybe they should all pretend they don't like the millions and play for pride.......

I agree with the notion of NO shootout. This is a team sport. A shootout does not decide which team performed best. There is nothing wrong with a tie.
And for those that say "soccer has a shoot out and its fine."
I don't like it in soccer either.

I definitely disagree with no-touch icing. It takes a very exciting aspect away from the game. Yes it does save a lot of possible injury, but it makes for a much less interesting game. As for the Leafs, trade Mats Sundin for draft picks and as many prospects as you can get. Rebuild the team from the bottom up.

I think the no touch icing thing is a terrible idea. Icing is most of the time to clear the zone and give your team some time to recoop. But if you did the no touch rule it would be a pass down the rink and it comes right back. Its pointless

One rule they should change is the shooting the puck over the glass rule. That has to be one of the stupidiest rules there is.

The Leafs seem to turning the tables on their fans. They beat Ottawa, Montreal, Detroit, Boston and almost Buffalo, loose to Florida and the NY Islanders. They Leafs should bench all the players who have played inconsistently and bring up the rookies, all of them. Give them the learning experience, start next year now. I am not suggesting they trade these veterans, just bench them. The Leafs have find out who they really are: Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde.

Hossa would be a great addition to the Habs but the risk of trading for a player at the end of his contract for a playoff push backfired badly for the thrashers last year and I would hate to see this young dynasty be squandered for a 2nd or 3rd round exit.

We absolutely need a bonafide tough guy to protect the franchise guys during the playoffs that HAS to be a part of any deal.

GO HABS GO!!!!

How about changing the number of shooters in a shootout from three to zero. Hockey is suppose to be a team sport, this circus they have created is nothing more than a one on one contest. What is wrong with 2 evenly matched teams playing a great game that ends in tie.

I think the Habs have a good roster as it is. They are on pace to have 12 or so players with 30+ points. The goalies have the potential, but they just need to build up some confidence a little.

Bringing in Hossa I doubt would benefit the team as they would have to give up too much.

Does anyone know the argument for NOT having no touch icing?

Please vote in No Touch icing! How can a group of owners and GMs not see that this is an absolutely horrible rule for the speed of this game? I am a fan that loves to watch a bone crushing hit! I love watching a good fight. But to me the race to get an icing call makes me cringe rather then sit on the edge of my seat in anticipation.

Nice to see that the owners are talking about really important stuff like icing, uniform colors, and changing the free agent date. It would be interesting for them to talk about ways to improve the fan base and revenues in the US, where most people prefer golf and nascar which are not really sports.

I was hoping the NHL would shorten the season by 20 games so it would be over with in May but instead they are talking about increasing the schedule. If they keep it up they will be playing in July. ( $$$$$$ )

I am wondering if the are ever going to change the playoff seeding. I understand that the division leaders should get in, but it is ridiculous looking at the standings in the east. Two teams are tied with 75 points, and one is in first place, and the other is 4th. The fifth place team has 73 points, but when you look at the third place team wih 65 points. It is stupid!!!

The NHL hasn't had any career ending injuries with the touch icings, and the NHL has been around for long enough for it to happen, which means they should, and will, leave the rule alone. I am a Leafs fan, from time to time this season, and I wouldn't be suprised if the Leafs don't rent out Sundin, or get rid of McCabe. Would be interesting if the Habs pick up Hossa for Ryder, or Higgins plus a pick. As if they're not good enough aleady..

I disagree, I know players can get hurt and yes ive seen many injuries from it, but it would slow the game down more which we dont need. PLayers just need to be more aware when going back to get the puck. I mean you should be able to hear avery or neil coming at you trying to paste you before you turn your back to them. Respect is a big thing to theres no need to run a guy from behind or try to drive him through the boards when you clearly no your no beating the icing call.

They will not vote for no touch icing, because no one in the league (players inc.) wants it. Your reasons equally pertain towards arguments against fighting, hitting, or really any contact whatsoever. "make hockey a no contact sport, and no one will get hurt" ... Pittsburg already lost Crosby, and it wasnt because of no touch icing...

Concerning the recent allstar game , how can a player who dosen't decide to play until christmas, qualify to play in the allstar game? (Nedimayer) Am I missing something?

Will someone have to die before the dinasaurs that pass as GM's realize that no touch icing keeps playors in the game. The head and body injuries mount yet team management cannot see the obvious. Perhaps they should be forced to skate to endboards and be smacked before they can understand it is not macho , it is just stupid to have multi-million bodies in the sights of grunts. Wake up and smell the roses before someone gets killed. We do not need another Bill Masterson trophy for a needless death.

In rejecting the no-touch icing the owners and general managers have once again shown that they don't really care for the players or the game (although I think its mostly the owners doing the rejecting).
For once I would like to hear the reasons why they continue to reject the change. Maybe the rest of us are missing something...

How can the GM's not want to protect their assets? Start giving serious penalties for goon hits on star players (Lidstrom etc.) and making no touch icing happen is fundamentally necessary to the fans and the players.

Eliminate instigator rule. It allows soft men to pretend they are tough.

I personally don't want to see my favorite player (Lidstrom) miss games b/c of a no-talent hack 4th liner. Get rid of the players that have no respect for the game.

If I wanted to see bush leauge hockey I would go to a junior-B game. No touch icing would speed the game up and also protect the players from undue injuries.

I mean seriously, the ice is crappy enough in most cities to begin with, it wont be long until someone gets seriously hurt. I thought the GM's are supposed to be businessmen? What businessman wouldn't protect his assets?

length of regular season does not need to be any longer as season is long enough with playoffs, time off for Olympics and other special times when there has been breaks during regular schedule. Someone will have to get seriously injured (a marquee player like a Crosby, Ovechin etc) before the NHL adapts "no touch icing" even though it would speed up the game.

roy king; I agree. I am all about the big hits and rough and tumble game, but having two, or more players racing towards the end boards serves no purpose except to put them in vulnerable positions needlessly.

ps - also like how in International hockey they blow the whistle if the goalie takes a shot to the head.

When will the General Managers and Owners vote for the no touch icing. I think they will bring it in after a player breaks a leg or neck. Don't be so stupid make this a rule now before a team like Pittsburg lose a player like Crosby.