NHL general managers propose change to offside rule

NHL insiders Eric Francis and Elliotte Friedman join Kyle Bukauskas to discuss all the hot button topics from Day two of the GM Meetings, where they voted to change the offside rule, and where the NHL/CHL transfer rule is up for debate.

The NHL general managers have voted for a proposed change to the offside rule in order to simplify video reviews.

The proposal – which will still need to be approved by the competition committee and BOG – would change the language of the rule to say a player only has to break the plane of the blue line to determine offside. The current version of the rule requires at least one skate to be “in contact with, or on his own side of the line” for the player to be onside.

Since the 2015-16 season, coaches have been allowed to challenge a goal for offsides, which linesmen then can review on tablets. However, the video reviews have put a microscope on the offside rule and plays where a skate is marginally off the ice. This new rule change should simplify the review process.

The competition committee typically meets in June to discuss rule changes which, if passed, will be implemented next season.

The NHL GMs are currently holding their annual meetings in Boca Raton, Fla. On Monday, the group opted to not make a change to the emergency backup rule, which was recently highlighted by 42-year-old Zamboni driver David Ayres backstopping the Carolina Hurricanes to a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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