by Al Strachan

Updated: March 24, 2008, 5:41 PM EST 133 comments

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There's no need to go overboard on this. The league doesn't need to see teams hitting double figures every game. But on the other hand, there are too many 2-1 games, and even games that are scoreless after 65 minutes.

As a result, the league's movers and shakers are looking at some rule changes that can lead to a few more goals.

1. Limit freezing the puck by goaltenders (a 90% chance of implementation)

There is no real reason for a goalie to freeze a puck that is shot directly at him from outside the blue line. Too often, the goalie will stop the shot and leave the puck lying in the crease until an opponent nears. Then he falls on it and forces a face-off.

Once the new rule is in place, the goalie will have to play the puck in these circumstances. He can pass it to a teammate or he can deflect it into the corner. He can even shoot it up ice if he wants. But he can't fall on it.

For one thing, this will reduce the number of face-offs and keep the play flowing— never a bad idea. For another, it will give teams a new offensive weapon. If they flip it in, rather than shoot it in with force, a forechecker should arrive at the crease at roughly the same time as the puck. This should make life interesting for goalies and create some exciting offensive moments.

By definition, it will increase scoring.

2. Eliminate the trapezoid behind the goalie (60%)

In other words, goalies won't be allowed to play pucks behind the goal line.

This matter has been under discussion for a number of years, but it has failed to gain approval because some teams with agile goalies — New Jersey, Dallas, New York Islanders etc. — felt that they would be losing an advantage.

But these days, almost every goalie coming into the league is an excellent skater and a skilled puck-handler. That clear-cut advantage that used to accrue to a handful of teams is rapidly disappearing.

As a result, the rule change will garner more support than was the case in the past. The premise behind the concept is that fans don't pay to see goalies stop dump-ins and fire the puck out again. They want to see offensive-zone action.

Once the present-day trapezoid is made off limits for goalies, the puck will stay in play in the offensive zone for longer stretches.

Granted, the new rule will make life more difficult for defensemen, but so what? If defensemen are having an easy time, the opponents aren't providing much offense.

3. Change the size of goaltender equipment (80%)

The goaltenders have been shown the larger nets that could be introduced to increase scoring and they don't like them — to put it mildly. Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks has said that he will quit if they become part of the game.

So league officials have said to Luongo and his colleagues, "Then you'd better work with us on cutting down the size of your equipment. If you do that, we'll ditch the larger nets."

Exactly how the goaltenders' equipment will be reduced in size remains to be seen. But for one thing, some of the cantilevered creations used to push the padding into useful positions when the goalie moves will become a thing of the past. So will the oversized chest and shoulder pads. So will the size 66 pants, not an unreasonable development since most goalies have a waist of 34"or less.

The goaltenders say they have no objection to all this. They say that as long as the padding that is left provides them with protection, they can accept the changes. They also say that as long as the restrictions are applied uniformly, they won't have any objections. Of course, it must also be said that every goalie in the NHL knows how the other guys cheat but doesn't do it himself. When these guys get fingered and their equipment is ruled illegal, they may take a less cavalier approach.

But this much is clear. With the aim of increasing scoring, some changes are coming. And almost all of those changes will directly involve the goaltenders.