There is still no news about when the CBA meetings might resume, although rumors have indicated that the sides will get together sometime this week. Instead, we are still getting bits and pieces of what took place at the GM gathering last Thursday and Friday.

Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun reports that a small group of General Managers raised the possibility of implementing an 'illegal defense' rule in the NHL. It would be designed to make the defensive trap illegal. No specifics were proposed, so I really don't have an idea of how it would work, or what the penalty would be for violating the rule.

As the article indicates, the NBA used that system for a number of years to prevent teams from dropping into a zone defense and slowing the game down. The NBA abandoned the rule two seasons ago, and now permits man-to-man coverage.

I would imagine it would be extremely difficult for officials to call 'illegal defense' in hockey, as it is much faster and generally more transitional than basketball. In the NBA, 'illegal defense' was only called when teams set up in the half court. In hockey, the infraction would have to be called on the rush, as that is the time the defensive teams utilize a trap.

Again, just try calling all the obstruction fouls before you attempt to implement something as drastic as this.

Spector gives his take on the draft issues the NHL will face soon. He notes how the presence of Sidney Crosby in this year's draft is creating friction among the teams.

Bob McKenzie reports that Wayne Gretzky has stated that his intention is to remain with Phoenix, despite numerous rumors that he may return to the Rangers to replace Glen Sather as President of the team.

Bob also clarifies the proposed playoff system that increases the teams involved from 16 to 20.

"Under the new format, there will be a much heavier emphasis on regular season play within a team's own division, a more unbalanced schedule, so the top two teams in each division would automatically advance to the playoffs. The next four teams with the most points would then participate in the "play in" round as a prelude to the traditional 16-team "playoffs."

I don't really see much of a difference from the original report, and I still don't like it.

There seems to be some doubt about whether NHL players will participate in the 2006 Olympics.

If there is no agreement for an NHL season next year, Jaromir Jagr will return to Russia to play.

The Rodent watched the NCAA finals last Saturday, and he did not like the "rail-cam' that ESPN utilized during the game.

HDH

Recent Articles 19 Years Of Mike & The Mad Dog

Web Hockeybird.com