[News] AHL Rule Changes for 2016-17 (including Game misconducts for "staged" fights)

[getbak]

I decided to post this in the main Fire on Ice forum because the AHL is often used as a testing ground for rule changes that the NHL is considering implementing and this forum gets more traffic.


http://theahl.com/board-of-governors...eeting-p202959

The AHL concluded their annual Board of Governors meeting today and approved a few changes for this coming season. Most of the changes are minor housekeeping issues, but they did approve a couple of rule changes that could find their way to the NHL in the future...


First is a minor change to the Icing rule.

Rule 82 (“Icing”)

• In addition to not being permitted to make player substitutions, the offending team on an icing violation also may not use its team time-out.

Second is a significant change to the Fighting rules. This should curb "staged" fights at faceoffs. Also, automatic suspensions for players who fight a lot.

Rule 46 (“Fighting”)/Rule 23 (“Game Misconducts”)

• Players who enter into a fight prior to, at, or immediately following the drop of the puck for a faceoff will be assessed an automatic game misconduct in addition to other penalties assessed.

• During the regular season, any player who incurs his 10th fighting major shall be suspended automatically for one (1) game. For each subsequent fighting major up to 13, the player shall also be suspended automatically for one (1) game.

• During the regular season, any player who incurs his 14th fighting major shall be suspended automatically for two (2) games. For each subsequent fighting major, the player shall also be suspended automatically for two (2) games.

• In any instance where the opposing player was assessed an instigator penalty, the fighting major shall not count towards the player’s total for this rule.

According to HockeyFights.com, there were 22 players in the AHL with 10 or more fights last season, including Austin Carroll. There were 8 players with a minimum of 14 fights in the AHL last season.

Last season, the NHL only had 4 players with 10 or more fights, and none with 14.

[N-E-B]

The slow death of fighting in hockey continues.

[Finger Cookin]

I expect a lot of coaches will suddenly want to review an offside call on the shift that led to the icing.

[Patek23]

Going to be a sad day when they get rid of fights in hockey

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I expect a lot of coaches will suddenly want to review an offside call on the shift that led to the icing.

You can only ask for a coach's challenge on an off-side play if it results in a goal.

[getbak]

I like the fighting changes. It should get rid of the staged "heavyweight bouts" that people complain about while still allowing for spontaneous heat-of-the-moment fights.

The automatic suspensions will also push the designated goons out of the game. One guy in the AHL had 20 fights last season (Michael Liambas of Rockford).


Brian McGrattan retweeted this from Rich Clune today:

Rich Clune ‏@richclune

Save you reporters some time. The 10 fight limit and no fighting off the face-off rule is great. Fighting isn't done, just guys who suck are

This from BizNasty:

Paul Bissonnette ‏@BizNasty2point0

In all honesty I don't mind the new rules. Still believe there is a place for fighting in the game but not at the level of where it was.

Clune had 10 fights in the AHL last season, McGrattan and Biz each had 7.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

You can only ask for a coach's challenge on an off-side play if it results in a goal.

I expect I would make a bad NHL coach, what with my ability to keep up with the rules.

[pseudoreality]

I like the fighting rules, not sure about the not being able to use the timeout on the offside. You only get one.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I expect I would make a bad NHL coach, what with my ability to keep up with the rules.

You'd be hired by Benning in no time.

[Alberta_Beef]

I enjoy fighting and am perfectly fine with these rules

[gunnner]

Originally Posted by getbak

I like the fighting changes. It should get rid of the staged "heavyweight bouts" that people complain about while still allowing for spontaneous heat-of-the-moment fights.

The automatic suspensions will also push the designated goons out of the game. One guy in the AHL had 20 fights last season (Michael Liambas of Rockford).


Brian McGrattan retweeted this from Rich Clune today:


This from BizNasty:


Clune had 10 fights in the AHL last season, McGrattan and Biz each had 7.

I love this. Even the heavyweights get it. Two heavyweights pounding each other causei its their role, adds little to the game anymore. Protecting a teammate who took a cheap shot will continue to have a place in my mind.

[Enoch Root]

I like the icing rule.

And I wish they would change shooting it over the glass to be the same (could include a 'blatantly intentional' penalty rule if they were worried about people delaying the game intentionally).

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

You'd be hired by Benning in no time.

My instinct was to Thank this, but then I thought about it...