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Poll results: PHT readers want to get rid of the trapezoid but allow icing on PKs

One of the more interesting articles we discussed Monday tackled the goalie trapezoid rule and icing on penalties. I thought it might be intriguing to test the latter idea, but I think that the strong consensus against the idea might sway my opinion just a touch. Before I go any further with analysis, let’s take a look at the first poll results.

We’ll start with the question: should the NHL do away with the goalie trapezoid rule? For a quick refresher, the NHL prohibits a goalie from handling the puck outside of a trapezoid area behind the red line. If a goalie does, in fact, handle the puck outside that area, his team is given a two minute penalty for delay of game. The rule was enacted as a post-lockout action with the intention of improving goal scoring opportunities by limiting the exceptional puck handling abilities of offense-killers such at Martin Brodeur.

PHT readers agreed with my assessment that the rule is unfair to goalies. (click to enlarge the results.)

Image (1) trapezoidpoll-thumb-250x114-18388.jpg for post 3066

James O’Brien

That being said, readers straightened me out on the issue of enforcing icing on penalty kills. I still think that the idea would be at least interesting, but let’s take a look at the poll results first. (Again, click to enlarge the results.)

Image (2) icingonpenalties-thumb-250x121-18391.jpg for post 3066

James O’Brien

Both polls were lopsided in a near 3-to-1 ratio. One commenter “dw” had an interesting idea that could be a compromise regarding icing on penalty kills. (I’ll publish the comment as it was.)

maybe we should take a page out of college hockey, I believe that while they try to kill a penalty the defensive team has to advance the puck over the blue line and then are able to dump the puck into the attackers zone, this is just one idea that just might work and please let’s get rid of the trapazoid [sic] it’s hindered some of the better skating and puck handling goalies.

Perhaps that could be a solid compromise. Instead of being too harsh by not allowing the defensive team to ice the puck, a player could do so once he advances past the blue line. I like that because the PK’ers would at least need to show minimal puck possession before they get rid of the puck.

Obviously, this is one of those summertime diversion-type debates. I don’t think the league’s system with power plays is broken (at least when it comes to icing), but it’s fun to discuss ways to improve the game. Yet, when it comes to the trapezoid, I think we can agree that it’s not very fair to goalies.