NHLPA Player Poll suggests NHLers want PWHL’s jailbreak, point systems in league
A recent survey has revealed some members of the NHL wouldn’t mind taking a page or two from the top women’s league in the world.
On Tuesday, the NHL Players’ Association released its annual Player Poll, with athletes giving their thoughts on everything from who the best goaltender and playmaker is in the league to which player has the best style or which arena has the best ice.
Also, a good number of NHLers gave their thoughts on what rules from the Professional Women’s Hockey League should be adapted into their own league.
In a poll of 505 players, 29.7 percent of the votes would like to see the NHL adopt the PWHL’s “Jailbreak Goal.” The unique rule comes when a shorthand team scores, the penalized player is allowed to leave the penalty box (except when it comes to a major penalty). The aspect of the game has had rave reviews, as it has inspired teams on a player disadvantage to pursue offense to truly “kill” a penalty.
Another setup that the PWHL has that differs from the NHL is their point system. While teams earn two points for a win in the NHL, regardless of what fashion, the P-Dub follows the international and college 3-2-1-0 point system. Regulation wins count for three points, overtime and shootout wins count for two points, while a loss in overtime or shootout results in one point. 24.4 percent of votes in the pool would like that rule to be introduced.
The PWHL format isn’t necessarily decided by the standings. Whoever finishes in first place gets to choose who they play in the first round between the third and fourth-place teams. The rule protects the second-place team from losing home-ice advantage. If that rule were to be placed in the NHL, you could see a situation like the Washington Capitals get to choose between either the two Wild Card teams or potentially whoever finishes third in the Metropolitan and Atlantic Divisions. 16.8 percent of NHLers surveyed are intrigued by that format.
15.6 percent of the votes would be interested in the PWHL’s shootout format, where a player is eligible to shoot as many times as they want. Contrary to the NHL, where everyone in the lineup is forced to shoot before someone gets to go twice. In the IIHF, three different players must take a shot before someone can go again (Here’s looking at you, T.J. Oshie and Jonathan Toews).
As a goaltender, my personal favorite difference between the NHL and PWHL is the trapezoid rule, or lack thereof. The NHL introduced the “goalkeeper’s area” following the 2004-05 lockout, and it has been a complete waste of resources. It, unfortunately, trickled its way into the IIHF and junior ranks. The PWHL doesn’t limit where the netminders can play the puck – a good decision. 13.5 percent of those surveyed would like the trapezoid erased.
Click here to view the full NHLPA Player Poll
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