AHL Expanded Blueline Experiment

Krom · 01-01-2004, 07:38 AM

Have they done this yet...or have I missed it? I haven't heard any comments. Did it change the game at all?

Kukla · 01-01-2004, 07:50 AM

Dan McCourt, an NHL linseman, was on the Wing pregame last nite. He was a linseman for one of the AHL games with the expanded lines a few days ago and his thought was nothing was different. Felt it was easier for the linsemen to call offsides, but had little effect on the game. He told the Wings arena manager not to worry, he will not be painting bigger blue lines in the near future.

Habsfunk · 01-01-2004, 08:08 AM

I would imagine its pretty hard to pass judgement after only 2 games. I wouldn't be surprised if it was experimented with in the pre-season next year.

01-01-2004, 08:34 AM

You also have to take into consideration that the players are less talented. They don't exactly have Chris Pronger making a 40 foot outlet pass to Pavol Demitra at the red line in the AHL.

Lobstertainment · 01-01-2004, 08:56 AM

The lines are friggin ugly and from what I gather they could just as easily get rid of the two line pass rule to open it up more.

01-01-2004, 09:21 AM

Dedalus says it best here.

http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=39264

GoM · 01-01-2004, 09:55 AM

I've been to 2 AHL games with it, made a slight difference, but not nearly enough to 'change' the game. The only thing I want is for penalties to be called, I'm happy watching defensive hockey, if it's a good game.

Habs4Life · 01-01-2004, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unthinkable

Dedalus says it best here.

http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=39264

Ever since Bettman took over hockey has been crap!!

I think he's the main reason why there is no scoring in hockey...

DrHockeyMD · 01-01-2004, 11:18 AM

It made the rink unbelievably disgusting looking. That's all it did.

NJD Jester · 01-02-2004, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habs4Life

Ever since Bettman took over hockey has been crap!!

I think he's the main reason why there is no scoring in hockey...

No, he's the main reason there's no fighting in hockey.

Defensive players and coaches that finally figured out how to smother mediocre teams with getting penalized are the reason there's no scoring in hockey.

Luckily, you don't need goals for excitement.

Unfortunately, you do need fighting.

<JESTER>